Hostname: page-component-8448b6f56d-tj2md Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-19T02:12:45.337Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Ingestion of sugar, protein and water by adult Lucilia cuprina (Wied.) (Diptera, Calliphoridae)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 July 2009

J. A. Roberts  and
R. L. Kitching
J. A. Roberts
Affiliation:
C.S.I.R.O., Division of Entomology, P.O. Box 1700, Canberra City, A.C.T. 2601, Australia
R. L. Kitching
Affiliation:
C.S.I.R.O., Division of Entomology, P.O. Box 1700, Canberra City, A.C.T. 2601, Australia
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

The food and water requirements of adults of the blowfly Lucilia cuprina (Wied.), singly or in groups of ten, were recorded under laboratory conditions from the intake of water and of sucrose and bovine serum albumin plus liver extract, either in solution or in dry form. Water intake by both male and female flies is negligible when sucrose solution is available. When fed sucrose females live 18–19 days as opposed to 4–5 days on water alone. Intake of sucrose solution increases in both male and female flies when protein is also available. Protein is ingested from the day of emergence by both sexes of the blowfly. A peak of protein intake occurs early in each ovarian cycle of the female. The amount of protein feeding by females remains the same and appears independent of the sucrose concentration; carbohydrate uptake is inversely related to that of protein. In males protein intake declines steadily after an earlier lower peak. Knowledge of the dietary requirements of the blowfly, related to nutritional and reproductive demands, has allowed recognition of a series of behavioural phases in adult life.

Type
Original Articles
Information
Bulletin of Entomological Research , Volume 64 , Issue 1 , August 1974 , pp. 81 - 88
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1974

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

Barton Browne, L. (1960). The role of olfaction in the stimulation of oviposition in the blowfly, Phormia regina.—J. Insect Physiol. 5, 16–22.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Belzer, W. R. (1970). The control of protein ingestion in the black blowfly, Phormia regina (Meigen).—195 pp. Ph.D. thesis, University of Pennsylvania.Google Scholar
Dethier, V. G. (1961). Behavioral aspects of protein ingestion by the blowfly, Phormia regina Meigen.—Biol. Bull. mar. biol. Lab., Woods Hole 121, 456–470.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gelperin, A. (1971). Regulation of feeding.—A. Rev. Ent. 16, 365–378.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mackerras, I. M. (1936). The sheep blowfly problem in Australia. Results of some recent investigations.—Pamph. Court, scient, ind. Res. Aust. no. 66, 39 pp.Google Scholar
Strangways-Dixon, J. (1961). The relationship between nutrition, hormones and reproduction in the blowfly Calliphora erythrocephala (Meig.). I. Selective feeding in relation to the reproductive cycle, the corpus allatum volume and fertilization.—J. exp. Biol. 38, 225–235.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Tyndale-Biscoe, M. (1971). Protein-feeding by the males of the Australian bushfly Musca vetustissima Wlk. in relation to mating performance.—Bull. ent. Res. 60, 607–614.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Webber, L. G. (1958). Nutrition and reproduction in the Australian sheep blowfly Lucilia cuprina.—Aust. J. Zool. 6, 139–144.CrossRefGoogle Scholar