Hostname: page-component-7c8c6479df-7qhmt Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-03-27T04:48:58.406Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Larval growth of some calliphorid and sarcophagid Diptera

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 July 2009

G. W. Levot
Affiliation:
School of Zoology, University of New South Wales, P.O. Box 1, Kensington, N.S.W. 2033, Australia.
K. R. Brown
Affiliation:
School of Zoology, University of New South Wales, P.O. Box 1, Kensington, N.S.W. 2033, Australia.
E Shipp
Affiliation:
School of Zoology, University of New South Wales, P.O. Box 1, Kensington, N.S.W. 2033, Australia.

Abstract

The competitive abilities of seven calliphorid and one sarcophagid species were examined by investigation of various Characteristics of their larval growth curves. The relative success of each species is thought to depend to a great extent on the ability of the larvae to attain quickly the minimum weight for viable pupation. The ovoviviparous species (Calliphora nociva Hardy, C. augur (F.) and Parasarcophaga crassipalpis (Macq.)) were found to have the most rapid growth and Chrysomya megacephala (F.), Calliphora nociva and C. augur the highest assimilatory rate during the period of most rapid growth. Further, C. nociva, C. augur, Ch. megacephala and Ch. rufifacies (Macq.) were the species best adapted to pupation at low larval weight, which suggests that their food requirements for successful pupation were less (relative to maximum larval weight) than those of the other species. In this respect, Lucilia cuprina (Wied.) was also well–adapted and Ch. varipes (Macq.) was the least successful species.

Type
Original Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1979

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Barker, K. (1967). An analysis of factors which determine the success in competition for food among larvae of Drosophila melanogasterArchs néerl. Zool. 14, 200281.Google Scholar
Baxter, J. A., Mjeni, A. M. & Morrison, P. E. (1973). Expression of autogeny in relation to larval population density of Sarcophaga bullata (Parker) (Diptera: Sarcophagidae).—Can. J. Zool. 51, 11891193.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Birch, L. C. (1957). The meanings of competition.—Am. Nat. 91, 518.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Chlang, H. C. & Hodson, A. C. (1950). An analytical study of population growth in Drosophila melanogaster.—Ecol. Monogr. 20, 173206.Google Scholar
Fuller, M. E. (1934). The insect inhabitants of carrion: a study in animal ecology.—Bull.Coun. Scient. ind. Res., Melb. no. 82, 162.Google Scholar
Kinnear, J. F., Martin, M. D., Thompson, J. A. & Newfeld, G. J. (1968). Developmental changes in the late larvae of Calliphora stygia. I. Haemolymph.—Aust. J. biol. Sci. 12, 10331045.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kitching, R. L. (1977). Time, resources and population dynamics in insects.—Aust. J. Ecol. 2, 3142.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Nicholson, A. J. (1950). Population oscillations caused by competition for food.—Nature, Lond. 165, 476477.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Norris, K. R. (1965). The bionomics of blowflies.—A. Rev. Ent. 10, 4768.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Roback, S. S. (1951). A classification of the muscoid calyptrate Diptera.—Ann. ent. Soc. Am. 44, 327361.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Roberts, B. (1976). Larval development in the Australian flesh fly Tricholioproctia impatiens.—Ann. ent. Soc. Am. 69, 158164.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ullyett, G. C. (1950). Competition for food and allied phenomena in sheep blowfly populations. —Phil. Trans. R. Soc. Ser. 234, 77174.Google Scholar
Vladimirova, M. S. & Smirnov, E. S. (1938). Intraspecific competition in and interspecific competition between Musca domestica L. and Phormia groenlandica Zett.—Medskaya Parazit. 7, 755777.Google Scholar
Waterhouse, D. F. (1947). The relative importance of live sheep and of carrion as breeding grounds for the Australian sheep blowfly Lucilia cuprina.—Bull. Coun. Scient. ind.Res., Melb. no. 217, 131.Google Scholar
Žďárek, J. & Sláma, K. (1972). Supernumerary larval instars in cyclorrhaphous Diptera.— Biol. Bull. mar. biol. Lab., Woods Hole. 142, 350357.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed