Development of larvae of the Australian blowfly, Calliphora augur (Diptera: Calliphoridae), at constant temperatures

Abstract

AbstractCalliphora augur (Diptera: Calliphoridae) is a common carrion-breeding blowfly of forensic, medical and agricultural importance in eastern Australia. Despite this, detailed information on the developmental biology of C. augur is lacking. Here, we present the first comprehensive study on the development of all three larval instars of C. augur, fed on sheep’s liver, at constant temperatures of 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35°C. We provide thermal summation models describing instar duration, as well as 95% prediction intervals for larval length at each constant temperature, enabling the age of larvae of C. augur to be estimated from their developmental stage and their average length. These data provide a basis for the application of this species to forensic investigations.