Development of Calliphora vicina (Robineau-Desvoid) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) under different biotic and abiotic conditions

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of the nature of the nutrient substrate on the weight and metric growth and the development time of necrophagous fly larvae Calliphora vicina (Robineau-Desvoid) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) used in forensic entomology. Eggs of the insect harvested from an animal corpse are deposited on the camel meat, goat meat and the fish for their breeding under constant temperatures of 20 and 30 °C. The weight and length as well as the longevity of the larval stages are compared by the scheffe post-hoc test. The results obtained indicate that the larvae fed on different substrates cannot complete their development until the emergence of adults at 30 °C. Larvae raised on fish are affected compared with those fed on camel and goat meats; they increase in weight and length slowly. Sometimes, they produce pupae that are significantly smaller and lighter than other types of substrates. Longevity differs a little between larval stages under the two temperatures and between the three nutrient substrates.