EFFECTS OF DIETETIC NUCLEIC ACIDS AND COMPONENTS ON GROWTH OF AGRIA AFFINIS (FALLÉN) (DIPTERA: SARCOPHAGIDAE)

Abstract

Feeding tests on chemically defined diets; showed that dietary nucleic acids are needed for optimal growth rates of the parasitoid Agria affinis (Fallén) reared axenically. Both ribonucleic acid (RNA) and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) met this requirement qualitatively and were almost equal quantitatively. The nucleotides adenylic acid, guanylic acid, cytidylic acid, and uridylic acid were the only derivatives of RNA used by the insect larvae to promote growth rates. These nucleotides were equally well utilized regardless of whether their base was purine or pyrimidine. No evidence was found for the utilization of single nucleosides or purine and pyrimidine bases. Phosphorylation of the molecule seemed to be the primary need that decided the utilization of dietary nucleic acid components in this species of Diptera. This augments evidence that various species of Diptera utilize nucleic acids and their derivatives differently. Moreover, it supports an attractive hypothesis of other workers that differences in utilization derive from ecological adaptations of the respective species and more greatly concern the needs for non-essential nutrients than for the essential ones.