Calliphoridae 



415 



experience as may be helpful to other workers. Some of this technique 

 has already been described by us (Minnich, 1929). The procedure to be 

 described has been successful in the culture of the following species: 

 Calliphora erythrocephala, Cynomyia cadaverina, Lucilia sericata, and 

 Phormia regina. 



The above species will mate and oviposit, and their larvae will mature 

 successfully, at temperatures between 21° and 27 C. At temperatures 

 much below or above these limits oviposition is greatly reduced or com- 

 pletely inhibited. A suitable breeding cage housing 50-100 adult flies 

 is a cubicle measuring approximately 25 cm. on each side and consisting 

 of a readily constructed light wooden frame covered with mosquito netting 

 except on the bottom. Cotton tape 

 is used where the gauze is tacked to 

 the frame to insure firmer construc- 

 tion. The wood stock is about 

 2 x 0.5 cm. and is smooth. When the 

 mosquito netting has become soiled 

 with the feces and regurgitation of 

 the flies, it may readily be removed 

 and the frame scraped and recov- 

 ered. Since the flies are more 

 or less strongly positive to light the 

 door of the cage should be placed 

 away from the windows of the cul- 

 ture room. To provide additional 

 light and heat we have kept an 

 electric lamp provided with an ordi- 

 nary desk lamp reflector burning 

 close to the lighted side of the cage. A 40-watt frosted bulb is entirely 

 adequate for the purpose. A further device permitting access to the 

 cage and at the same time preventing escape of the flies is provided by a 

 loose curtain of mosquito netting immediately within the door. Paper 

 toweling is a convenient cover for the table on which the cage is placed. 



Water may be supplied in a funnel (f) from which the delivery tube 

 has been cut and which is inserted into a vial or beaker (v) of the ap- 

 propriate size (Fig. 72). If a beaker is used, the spout should be re- 

 moved by heating and reshaping the glass to the general contour of the 

 lip to prevent the flies from creeping in and drowning. The inner surface 

 of the funnel should also be etched to afford a suitable creeping surface. 

 While some flies drown in the funnel, it is our experience that these are 

 old and decrepit individuals. Haub and Miller (1932) have described 

 an even simpler device for supplying water which eliminates the pos- 



Fig. 72. — Water feeder 

 for blowflies, f, fun- 

 nel; v, vial or beaker. 



