Thread subject: Diptera.info :: How to rear Calliphoridae and Muscidae

Posted by Waldgeist on 04-03-2020 12:53
#2

Marcello wrote:
Hello friends,

I have larvae of Calliphora erythrocephala, Lucilia caesar and pupae of Musca domestica.
I want just too see they born, to study them and to shot photos, then I'll free everythings.

But this is the first time and I need your help:

1) Where to put the larvae? Is it ok a plastic container with sawdust?
2) What I give to eat to the larvae? Is it ok some meat/flesh?
3) About the pupae, can I put them out of home for slow down the born?



Musca domestica is quite easy, I do that sometimes accidentally in summer in my kitchen :-)
I collect organic waste extra in some old cocking pot with lid (to put it the compost heap outside), this is sometimes infested by fly larvae.
After a few days the larvae leave the pot to pupate.

I think this may work for all of them (not very scientific):
Collect a mixture of organic waste (vegatables leftovers (raw, cooked), bones with some flesh (raw/cooked), ..) in a pot with a lid with a few small holes.
But the pot without lid outside (in shadow, air temperature >25°C) to let flies lay their eggs. This mixture usually attracts Musca domestica, Calliphora sp. and Lucillia sp.
If you see some larvae activity, take it inside, put the lid onto the pot to avoid drying out.
Put the pot inside some fly-tight containment with sawdust inside. As soon the larvae want pupate the will leave the pot through the small holes in the lid
and search for a dry dark area to pupate (hopefully in the saw dust). Avoid direct sunlight, it may kill them.

Edited by Waldgeist on 04-03-2020 13:03