Mass Rearing of Face Flies12

Abstract

Current rearing techniques were amplified and modified to produce between 35,000 and 40,000 pupae of Musca autumnalis De Geer per day. An average of 30,857 pupae were produced per adult cage over a 23- to 26-day lifetime. Adult face flies were reared on a mixed dry diet of powdered egg. powdered milk and sugar, and free choice water. Larvae were reared in fresh bovine feces mixed to ca. 80% water. The insectary was maintained on a 16: 8h L:D cycle at 25 to 28°C and 50 to 60% RH. Modified adult cages, shallow larval rearing pans, dry pupation pans, and specially made shelves and tables minimized handling of larval, pupal, and adult stages.