Studies on the Ecology of the Levant House Fly (Musca domestica vicinaMacq.).

Abstract

Cow dung was found to be suitable for breedingM. domestica vicina.The dependence of the duration of development on the temperature was investigated for all stages of development and could be suitably expressed by the formula of an equilateral hyperbola.Adult longevity was studied under various conditions of temperature and humidity. The maximum length of life in captivity was found to be 106 days, the average being 20–30 days. As the temperature rises, longevity decreases. Above 20°C, life is longest at a relative humidity of 42–55 per cent., whereas below 20°C., a lower humidity (30–40 per cent. R.H.) is favourable.Fertility was studied from the point of view of size of individual egg hatches and the frequency of oviposition.The mean number of eggs deposited by a female fly per day of adult life does not depend on the duration of adult life and does not change considerably during life.