Biological parameter and effect of abiotic factors on the developmental stages of Megaselia scalaris (loew) (diptera: phoridae)
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Date
2014-08
Authors
Teo, Bee Hsien
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Abstract
Biological parameters and the effect of different abiotic factors were tested on larval, pupal and adult stages of M. scalaris. For the biological parameters, comparison between males and females on the weight, size and lifespan of M. scalaris were examined. Males of the M. scalaris had shorter developmental time and lighter in weight and size compared with the females during larval and adult stages. However, during pupal stage, males of M. scalaris had longer developmental time compared with the females. Their weights increased continuously during larval stage but decreased incessantly during pupal stage. In this study, the effect of two abiotic factors: temperature and diet were tested on the larval and pupal developmental time and survival of the M. scalaris. The temperatures of 27 ˚C and 35 ˚C recorded shorter developmental time and higher survival of the larvae of M. scalaris. For the pupae, temperature of 27 ˚C showed the shortest developmental time and the highest survival of M. scalaris which was significantly different to those reared at temperatures of 19 ˚C and 35 ˚C. Fast developmental time and high survival of the larvae of M. scalaris were also found in the treatment of chicken feed. However, there was no significant difference (P > 0.05) of the diets to the pupal developmental time and survival. Interaction between temperature and diet was found on larval survival, pupal developmental time and pupal survival of M. scalaris. Effect of five factors such as mating status, sex, temperature, photoperiod, diet and their interactions were evaluated on the adult longevity of M. scalaris in present study. Unmated flies were found to live longer than mated flies. Females of M.
scalaris also showed that they had longer longevity if compared with them males. Temperature of 19 ˚C and continuous brightness (LD: 24:0), long photoperiod (LD: 16:8) and continuous darkness (LD: 0:24) can prolong the lifespan of the adults. Highest adult longevity was found for those fed with treatment of sugar, water and protein. Results also indicated that there were interactions between several factors. For the fecundity, maximum egg-laying number was recorded at the temperature of 19 ˚C. As a conclusion, the study of biological parameters and abiotic factors was important as it significantly affected the M. scalaris development and this can influence the efficiency of mass production.
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Keywords
Megaselia Scalaris