Studies on the large-scale rearing of the stable fly, Stomoxys nigra Macquart (Diptera: Muscidae)

Abstract

AbstractA laboratory colony of Stomoxys nigra Macq. was established in February 1976. Techniques were developed to produce 100 000 to 125 000 pupae daily in a larval room of 12 m2. The adults were fed on stored titrated blood and reared at a density of 500 pairs dn nylon cages with sides of 30 cm. The adult room was maintained at 29±1·5°C, 75–80 % RH and LD 14:10. To ensure a continuous supply of ovipositing individuals, 24 new cages with mature pupae were daily put in the adult room (capacity 280 cages) and an equal number of cages containing senile flies were removed. Eggs were harvested on moist khaki cloth below the adult cages, then concentrated in a trough of water and seeded at the rate of 1 ml (10 500 eggs) per kg of larval medium. The larval medium consisted of a mixture of 4 parts by weight of shredded sugar-cane (or elephant grass) leaves, 1 part soft Wheat bran and water at 2 ml/g dry matter. Larvae were reared in trays (45×35×7.5 cm) covered with cloth sacks to prevent invasion by pests. Eleven days after seeding, pupae were separated from the medium by flotation over water. From 2 September 1977 to 8 December 1977 forty trays, each yielding from 2000 to 3500 pupae, were harvested daily.