Some Relationships Between Diet and Ovarian Development in Lucilia Cuprina (Wied.) (Diptera: Calliphoridae).

Abstract

The influence of water, carbohydrate and protein on ovarian development was investigated. Carrion was the most effective of the protein sources tested, followed by faeces of dog, rabbit, horse and possum in that order. Sucrose and water were both required for complete ovarian development. If the protein source was dog faeces, a separate source of water was not required. If a complete batch of eggs could not be produced, ovarian development ceased, usually at the onset of yolk deposition.