EFFECTS OF DIET ON THE COMPOSITION OF BODY FAT IN AGRIA AFFINIS (FALLÉN)

Abstract

When larvae of the parasitic fly Agria affinis (Fallén) were reared on fatty acid free diets, the characteristically high palmitoleic acid content of the body fats was much increased. Oleic acid in the diet was effective in reducing this, but not so effective as a mixture of fatty acids. The body fats still contained unusually high proportions of palmitic, palmitoleic, and oleic acids even when a mixture of fatty acids was fed. These observations are related to earlier observations on the nutritional adequacy of various fatty acids.