scholarly journals Effects of Larval Population Density and Food Type on the Life Cycle of Musca domestica (Diptera: Muscidae)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meltem Kökdener ◽  
Filiz Kiper

Abstract Larval density is an important factor modulating larval resource-acquisition, influencing development of insects. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of larval density and substrate content on some life-history parameters of Musca domestica Linnaeus, 1758 (Diptera: Muscidae). This research was carried out from March 2019 through September 2019 at Animal Physiology Laboratory of Ondokuz Mayıs University, Samsun, Turkey. Groups of 25, 100, 200, and 400 newly hatched M. domestica larvae were transferred to a polyethylene cup filled with different substrates (i.e., wheat bran, poultry meal, soybean meal) and kept at 25°C, 62% RH with a photoperiod of 12:12 (L:D) h. A two-way analysis of variance (Two way ANOVA) was used to analyze the data on the percentage of pupal and larval survival development time, pupal, and adult weight to evaluate the effect of density and rearing substrate. In this study, increasing larval density and nutrient content of food led to changes in the larval and pupal development time of M. domestica. The results also indicated that the weight of pupae and adult survival was negatively affected by increasing larval density. The wheat bran diet was superior to the other diets for all parameters tested. Our study indicated that life history parameters of Musca domestica are affected by the rearing conditions.

1993 ◽  
Vol 71 (3) ◽  
pp. 568-578 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Dudley Williams ◽  
Annette Tavares-Cromar ◽  
Donn J. Kushner ◽  
John R. Coleman

The relationship between the biology and habitat of larval mosquitoes was studied in a series of artificial ponds of differing characteristics established across a terrestrial vegetation gradient from open fields to deep woods. The ponds were uniformly colonized by two widespread species of Culex, both characteristic of small bodies of water, including artificial, "container" habitats. First-instar larvae of Culex restuans were found within 2 days of filling the ponds with water and four or five generations were produced from May until the end of September. One very long generation occurred in July, which corresponded to maximum larval densities. Overall, there was a strong relationship between larval development time of C. restuans and larval density. A few larvae of Culex pipiens pipiens occurred sporadically throughout the summer, but numbers did not increase until C. restuans populations began to wane in late July. Thereafter two, or possibly three, generations were produced into the autumn. The patterns of colonization, synchrony of life history, and growth of these two species were remarkably consistent amongst the ponds, despite considerable variation in both their physical and biological environments (e.g., over the 2 years of study, conductivity ranged from 20 to 890 μS, pH from 6.4 to 10.7, dissolved oxygen from 0 to 13.5 ppm, and water temperature from 5 to 29.8 °C). Density of C. restuans was related to water temperature and pH at the "open" site and to water temperature, dissolved oxygen, percent algae, and percent detritus at the "edge of the woods" site. At the "deep woods" site, larval numbers were related to temperature, pH, conductivity, and dissolved oxygen. At both the edge and deep wood sites, larval development time of C. restuans increased with mean water temperature to 20 °C. Above this temperature, larval development time tended to decrease.


1984 ◽  
Vol 41 (6) ◽  
pp. 989-1000 ◽  
Author(s):  
Derek A. Roff

Empirical studies have shown that in teleosts there is a significant correlation between the life history parameters, age at first reproduction, natural mortality, and growth rate. In this paper 1 hypothesize that these correlations are the result of evolutionary adjustments due to the trade-off between reproduction, growth, and survival. A simple and reasonable assumption is that the costs of reproduction are sufficient to cause the ltmt function to decrease. A simple expression relating the age at first reproduction is derived from this assumption. This formula accounts for a statistically significant portion (60.6%) of the variation in age at first reproduction in 30 stocks of fish. To extend the model to predict the distribution of life history parameters across all teleosts, an explicit cost function is incorporated. The model is analyzed with respect to two fitness measures, the expected lifetime fecundity and malthusian parameter, r. In the first case it is shown that the optimal age at maturity, T, depends only on the natural mortality rate (M) and the growth rate (k). In the second case, T is a function of k and the logarithm of a parameter, In C; the latter is a product of egg and larval survival, maximum body length (Lx), and the proportionality coefficient of the fecundity/length function. Difficulties of measuring egg and larval survival make the testing of the latter case difficult for particular species. However, this method provides a simple formula for the computation of r; this is shown generally to be approximately zero, thereby adding strength to the assumptions of the first analysis. The distribution patterns of T on k and M on k are predicted and compared with the observed pattern. In general, the predictions are validated: however, certain combinations of k and ln C are shown to occur very infrequently. The prediction of such "empty" regions of the parameter space remains a challenge for future development of life history theory.


Author(s):  
Meltem Kökdener ◽  
Ahmet Fazıl Yılmaz

Abstract The present study aimed to investigate the impact of gunshot residue (GSR) components (Pb, Sb, and Ba) on the life history parameters of Lucilia sericata (Meigen, 1826) (Diptera: Calliphoridae). This experiment was carried out at the Zoology Department, the Ondokuz Mayıs University in 2020. About 50 larvae, respectively were exposed to the chicken liver with four different concentrations of GSR particles and life history parameters recorded. A two-way analysis of variance (Two way ANOVA) was used on the larval weight, and length, development time, percentage of pupal and larval survival. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to assess the association between life-history parameters and the concentration of GSR. The total development times decreased with increasing Sb, Ba, and Pb concentrations in the diets 1–3 d when compared to the control The results showed that Ba and Sb significantly decreased larval and pupal survival and GSR decreased the pupa and adult weight as compared to the control. We concluded that life-history parameters of L. sericata are sensitive to GSR residue and heavy metal changes in the environment. The presence of gunshot residue in the corpse should be kept in mind in a criminal investigation.


2019 ◽  
Vol 112 (6) ◽  
pp. 505-510 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brittny M Jones ◽  
Jeffery K Tomberlin

Abstract The black soldier fly, Hermetia illucens (L.), is economically important due to its use in waste management and as an alternative protein source for livestock, poultry, and aquaculture. While industry promotes mass production of the black soldier fly, little is known about the impact of larval competition on development time, resulting immature and adult weight, or adult longevity. The goal of this research was to examine the life-history traits of black soldier flies when reared at four densities (500, 1,000, 1,500, and 2,000 larvae/4-liter container) provided 54-g Gainesville diet at 70% moisture (feed rates of 0.027, 0.036, 0.054, and 0.108 g) every other day. Results were as expected with the lowest larval density (500) producing heavier individuals (by 26%) than the greatest larval density (2,000) across all life stages. In addition to weights, larvae reared at the lowest density developed 63% faster than those reared at the greatest density. In regard to pupal development time, those reared at the lowest larval density developed 3% slower than the greatest density. A 21% difference between the two extreme densities was found in survivorship to prepupal stage, with the lowest larval density having the greatest survivorship (92%) compared with the greatest larval density (70%). All densities displayed over 90% adult emergence rates. Such information is vital for optimization of the process of converting waste products to protein at an industrial scale with the black soldier fly.


1985 ◽  
Vol 42 (5) ◽  
pp. 873-879 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. M. Berkson ◽  
D. P. DeMaster

A series of population simulations were used to test the accuracy of estimating the discrete rates of population change (RPC) from annual pup counts. The simulations indicate that pup counts can give a biased estimate of RPC, and that the magnitude and direction of bias depends on which life history parameters are density dependent and on the maximum rate of population change. In general, if pre-census pup survival is density dependent the estimated RPC using pup counts is too low. If post-census pup survival is density dependent, the estimated RPC is too high. If adult survival is density dependent, there is very little bias in the estimate. The results indicate that pup counts can be reliable indicators of population growth, but caution should be used in interpreting the results unless density feedback mechanisms have been identified.


2008 ◽  
Vol 98 (5) ◽  
pp. 431-436 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Carron ◽  
L. Bichaud ◽  
N. Platz ◽  
D.J. Bicout

AbstractThe larval survival and development times of Aedes caspius (Diptera: Culicidae) were examined in the laboratory. These life history traits were estimated using life tables constructed for two populations, one of which had been subjected to a long-term larvicide control program. Traits were evaluated for eight different population densities. The effects of population, larval stage and larval density were investigated using a general linear model. Density was positively correlated with larval survival but did not affect development time. The fourth instar and pupae had the lowest larval survival rates. First and fourth instar larvae had the longest development times. These traits were not significantly different between the two populations. The effect of larvicide control on these traits is discussed.


2017 ◽  
Vol 150 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-99
Author(s):  
Sohini Singha Roy ◽  
Gautam Aditya ◽  
Sujay Ghosh

AbstractAn assessment of the effects of competitive behaviour and sex on seven selected life history traits ofDrosophila melanogasterMeigen (Diptera: Drosophilidae) was made under precisely regulated larval density. Contrary to the conditions of crowding, as considered in many previous studies, the low scale of density enabled assessment of the life history traits at the individual level with higher precision and low variations. The 0-day-old first instars were reared with the relative density of 1,2, 3, and 4 individuals with optimal food until the adults emerged. The life history traits like age at pupation, age at eclosion, adult body weight, adult body length, wing length, and adult survival were used as response variables. Both the density and sex of the competitors were considered as predictors of the life history traits and a stronger effect was evident in the female sex than in males, which is statistically significant. Result also revealed the effect of competitive behaviour was more intense in case of same sex competitors than of opposite sex. In all instances, the life history traits exhibited a trend of decreasing function with the increasing larval rearing density, in compliance with the norms of density-dependent effects on development ofDrosophilaFallén and similar insects.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Frank Hanson ◽  
Elizabeth Stanwyck ◽  
Alexander Bohorquez

Abstract Cultures of Manduca sexta Johanssen in our laboratory were found to have larvae with missing or deformed mouthparts or antennae. Hypothesizing that these developmental deformities were caused by crowded rearing conditions, we reared larvae in four different population densities and recorded the incidence (% of larvae affected) and types of chemoreceptor deformities. Results showed that the incidence of these deformities was directly proportional to larval population density. Deformities of the maxilla and palp were the most frequent, followed by those of the antenna, epipharynx and maxillary styloconica. Life history traits of larval mass, food consumption, and rate of development were inversely related to larval density for both normal and deformed larvae. We discuss possible causes and mechanisms of these deformities and of changes to life history traits.


2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (5) ◽  
pp. 170082 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Doropoulos ◽  
Nicolas R. Evensen ◽  
Luis A. Gómez-Lemos ◽  
Russell C. Babcock

Population growth involves demographic bottlenecks that regulate recruitment success during various early life-history stages. The success of each early life-history stage can vary in response to population density, interacting with intrinsic (e.g. behavioural) and environmental (e.g. competition, predation) factors. Here, we used the common reef-building coral Acropora millepora to investigate how density-dependence influences larval survival and settlement in laboratory experiments that isolated intrinsic effects, and post-settlement survival in a field experiment that examined interactions with environmental factors. Larval survival was exceptionally high (greater than 80%) and density-independent from 2.5 to 12 days following spawning. By contrast, there was a weak positive effect of larval density on settlement, driven by gregarious behaviour at the highest density. When larval supply was saturated, settlement was three times higher in crevices compared with exposed microhabitats, but a negative relationship between settler density and post-settlement survival in crevices and density-independent survival on exposed surfaces resulted in similar recruit densities just one month following settlement. Moreover, a negative relationship was found between turf algae and settler survival in crevices, whereas gregarious settlement improved settler survival on exposed surfaces. Overall, our findings reveal divergent responses by coral larvae and newly settled recruits to density-dependent regulation, mediated by intrinsic and environmental interactions.


2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 133-140
Author(s):  
D. Dzepe ◽  
P. Nana ◽  
A. Fotso ◽  
T. Tchuinkam ◽  
R. Djouaka

Performance and body composition of insect larvae depend on quality and quantity of their diet, and on biotic factors such as larval density. Experiments were undertaken to assess the effects of larval density, substrate moisture content and feedstock ratio on larval life history parameters of black soldier fly (BSF) in the laboratory. Four-day-old larvae were separately reared under six different densities (1, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 larvae/cm2) and at five substrate moisture content levels (40, 50, 60, 70 and 80%) obtained by moistening feed with fresh water. Five feedstock ratios of 25, 50, 100, 150 and 200 mg of feed per larva per day were also tested. Each treatment had four replicates and used commercial chicken feed as substrate. Results showed that individual larval feed reduction, wet weight, survival rate, body size and body thickness had a negative correlation with rearing densities, while larval development time correlated positively. The increase in substrate moisture content has significantly affected the larval feed reduction, wet weight, development time, body size and body thickness of the larvae. On the other hand, the survival rate was not significantly affected. The larvae subjected to diet 150 mg/larva/day showed a highest individual wet weight (0.19±0.003 g), body size (20.55±0.335 mm) and body thickness (4.982±0.081 mm). Their recorded development time was relatively short (11.25±0.500 days), compared to the other. The larval survival rate was not significantly affected by the feedstock ratio. This study indicates that larval life history parameters of BSF are influenced by the rearing conditions.


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