Abstract:
1. The object of the investigation was to determine what species of
flies bred in carcasses exposed under field conditions.
2. The technique of exposing sheep carcasses in specially constructed
troughs and the collection of migrating larvae and the trapping of emerging
flies are described.
3. Fly populations from small animal carcasses were bred at various
times of the year.
4. The phenomenon of succession and competition of the inhabitants of
carrion was demonstrated.
5. Lucilia cuprina, Lucilia sericata and Chrysomyia chloropyga mainly
constituted the populations of flies bred during the cool time of the year,
while Chrysomyia marginalis and Chrysomyia albiceps constituted the
populations during mid-summer.
6. When Ch. marginalis is abundant it is attracted to carcasses in the first stage of decomposition. L. cuprina and L. sericata are usually the
first visitors to fresh carcasses followed almost immediately by Ch. marginalis.
7. Certain suggestions are made for the treatment of carcasses as a
means of controlling blowflies.
