Eur. J. Entomol. 100 (1): 39-42, 2003 | DOI: 10.14411/eje.2003.008

Diet nutriment and rearing density affect the growth of black blowfly larvae, Phormia regina (Diptera: Calliphoridae)

Paul W.C. GREEN1,2,*, Monique S.J. SIMMONDS1, Wally M. BLANEY2
1 Jodrell Laboratory, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3AB, UK
2 School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Birkbeck College, Malet Street, London WC1E 7HX, UK

Larvae of Phormia regina (Meigen) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) were reared, in isolation, upon either lamb's liver or meridic diets that varied in protein- and carbohydrate-content. An artificial diet containing 53% protein (by mass of dry ingredients) resulted in the heaviest P. regina pupae and shortest development time when compared with larvae reared upon lamb`s liver and all other diets. In diets where the concentration of protein was less than that of carbohydrate, the level of carbohydrate became important. In a diet containing 22.6% protein it was neither the diet with the highest (51%) nor lowest (17%) concentration of carbohydrate that adversely affected development. Specifically, an intermediate level of carbohydrate (33.9%) resulted in an extended larval period, together with increased mortality and reduced pupal weights. Larvae reared in groups of 10 on either liver or a diet containing 53% protein were heavier than those reared in isolation. Group-rearing hastened development on liver, but not on the meridic diet. The results are discussed in relation to the nutritional ecology of saprophagous calliphorids.

Keywords: Phormia regina, Calliphoridae, protein, carbohydrate, nutrition, group rearing

Received: October 8, 2001; Revised: November 5, 2002; Accepted: November 6, 2002; Published: March 20, 2003  Show citation

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GREEN, P.W.C., SIMMONDS, M.S.J., & BLANEY, W.M. (2003). Diet nutriment and rearing density affect the growth of black blowfly larvae, Phormia regina (Diptera: Calliphoridae). EJE, 100(1), 39-42. doi: 10.14411/eje.2003.008
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