34 The Philippine Journal of Science 



1913 



The larvae thrive on many kinds of food. The following 

 materials were found experimentally to produce healthy adult 

 flies: Manure from the horse, cow, carabao, and guinea pig; 

 guinea grass; bran; bran and horse manure; corn-meal and 

 horse manure; and horse manure saturated with blood from 

 the horse and monkey. 



It was found that ordinary filter paper served as food for 

 the omnivorous larvse. The paper was invariably placed over 

 the manure in the jar to assist in regulating the moisture 

 content, and it was noticed that within three days the paper 

 was full of holes and jagged along the edges. In about five 

 days the filter paper was represented by a few scattered strands 

 which disappeared usually before the larvae matured. It was 

 demonstrated that larvae could develop on filter paper soaked 

 in manure decoction, provided the latter was supplied fresh 

 daily. 



The development of molds in the breeding jars interferes with 

 the growth of the larvae, but the appearance of some fungi does 

 not usually produce any effect. Indeed, the spore heads of 

 certain fungi, which are commonly a part of the flora of this 

 manure, seem to be greatly relished by larvae of Stomoxys. 



It was found to be advantageous to boil all of the ingredients 

 with the exception of the blood in the culture jars, in order 

 to destroy the animal and vegetable life, especially the mites 

 found commonly in manure, and various species of mold, in- 

 imical to the fly's development. 



CANNIBALISM 



The parasitic tendencies of this fly are developed at an 

 early age. The first manifestation is shown in the young 

 maggots which when confined to a test tube will invariably 

 remove the moisture from each other's bodies. When the 

 food in the breeding jar is allowed to become dry, the larvae 

 clump together and lick the moisture from each other's bodies. 

 This is only a step toward the stage where portions of the 

 body are removed and a state of cannibalism results. 



Two instances were observed of larvse feeding upon other 

 injured larvae. On one occasion 2 nearly full-grown larvae were 

 seen feeding on the juices exuding from a large jagged hole 

 torn in the side of an injured, but still active maggot. It was 

 not ascertained if the 2 feeders were responsible for the injury, 

 but the injured larva was soon helpless and became an easy 

 prey to its fellows. 



