Rearing Black Flies in the Laboratory (Diptera: Simuliidae)

Abstract

The culture of black flies in the laboratory has been investigated by a number of workers in recent years. Attempts to establish continuous colonies failed, but adults were reared from eggs or first-instar larvae of Simulium aureum Fries and S. erythrocephalum (Deg.) by Puri (1925), of S. ornatum Meig. by Smart (1934), of S. trivittatum Mall., S. callidum (D. & S.), S. metallicum Bell., and Gigantodax wrighti V., Mand D. by Vargas (1945) and Dalmat (1955), of S. ornatipcs Skuse by Maclrerras and Mackerras (1948), and of S. salopiense Edw. by Zivkovic (1951). Flowing water for the larvae was provided by bubbling compressed air through the water or by using a natural stream. Food consisted of algae, skim milk powder, powdered yeast, or “ground purina”.