The effect of diet on the life-span and egg maturation of caged adult sheep headflies, Hydrotaea irritans (Fallén) (Diptera: Muscidae)

Abstract

AbstractA method for maintaining adults of Hydrotaea irritans (Fall.) in captivity in groups, pairs or singly, is described. Male flies lived about half as long as females. Plies required carbohydrate and water for survival. A 50% honey solution, a 50% sucrose solution, thistle flowers and aphid honeydew all met the energy requirements of H. irritans, unlike blood, serum, milk, sweat, dung and mucus. The number of eggs matured was greatest on a diet of carbohydrate with blood or serum. Fewer eggs developed in flies given a diet of carbohydrate with milk, and very few on a diet of carbohydrate with horse sweat, cow sweat, dung or mucus. No eggs were matured by females fed on carbohydrate alone. All males had active spermatozoa whether or not they were fed on blood, but females were only inseminated after both they and the males with which they were kept had been given blood. The insemination rate was low at 13·3%. Females required more than one blood-meal, but not more than one every third week, in order to develop the maximum number of eggs.