THE EFFECT OF AGE AND DIAPAUSE ON THE LONG-TERM INTAKE OF PROTEIN AND SUGAR BY TWO SPECIES OF BLOWFLIES,PHORMIA REGINA(MEIG.) ANDPROTOPHORMIA TERRAENOV AE(R. D.)

Abstract

Long-term intake of protein and sugar by nondiapausing and diapausing male and female P. regina (black blowfly) and P. terraenovae (Arctic blowfly) was studied using a 2-choice apparatus and statistical analysis of results. Intake by nondiapausing flies was significantly influenced by age, old tending to feed less. Males and females exhibited similar trends in food intake as they aged. Sugar intake by male and female flies was significantly greater than protein intake. Female flies consumed significantly more protein than males. On a .mu.l/mg basis there was no significant difference in either sugar intake or total intake of protein plus sugar between male and female flies. Diapausing flies fed sugar and protein, although sugar intake was significantly greater than protein intake. Protein intake by both species of diapausing flies did not differ significantly from that of nondiapausing flies. Diapausing specimens of P. regina had a significantly greater sugar intake than the nondiapausing population; while diapausing P. terraenovae fed significantly less sugar than nondiapausing ones. These results were the same when considered on a .mu.l/mg basis. In the P. terraenovae population age influence on intake was greater among diapausing flies compared to nondiapausing flies. Covariance analysis showed that the effect of fly weight on intake was not significant.