Sheep blowfly research. V. Carcasses as sources of blowflies

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.