Longevity of Lucilia sericata (Meigen, 1826) used as pollinator

Abstract

Pollinators play an important role in the production of many agricultural products. Honeybees, Apis mellifera L., are leading pollinators, but the number of honeybees in the world is declining. Finding alternatives is beginning to be important. In the present study, we compared the longevity of Lucilia sericata (Meigen, 1826), which is used as a pollinator, in cages in the laboratory and in a vinyl greenhouse under controlled feeding conditions. First, we showed that the longevity of the flies was significantly extended (c.a. 40 days) in the laboratory when water and sugar were supplied compared to the cases without sugar and/or water. Second, we found that the average longevity was 20 days with water and sugar in cages kept in a vinyl greenhouse during the summer. Finally, we released marked flies into a vinyl greenhouse where strawberries were cultivated without feeding water or sugar in the spring. As a result, fewer than 10% of the flies survived 10 days after release. Based on the result, we discuss the use of this species as a pollinator in the context of its survival rate.