Relationships between Temperature and Life-History Parameters of Stomoxys calcitrans (Diptera: Muscidae)

Abstract

Relationships between temperature and life history parameters were determined for the stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans (L.). Median immature developmental times ranged from >60 d at 15°C to <12 d at 30°C, with minimum time at 30.6°C. Egg survival decreased from 0.98 at 15°C to 0.91 at 20°C, then increased to 0.98 at 35°C. Larval survival ranged from 0.83 at 20°C to 0.65 at 35°C, and pupal survival ranged from 0.93 at 20°C to 0.42 at 35°C with maxima at 22.1°C and 19.9°C for larvae and pupae, respectively. Median longevity of females and males were greatest at 17.3°C. Time to 50% survival ranged from >30 d at 15°C to <6 d at 35°C. Daily fecundity averaged 1.07, 8.89, 14.88, 26.22, and 7.90 eggs per female per day at 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35°C, respectively. Lifetime fecundity ranged from <30 eggs per female at 15 and 35°C to >700 eggs per female at 25°C and was greatest at 25.3°C. Net reproductive rate, and the intrinsic rate of increase had maxima at 25.3 and 27.8°C, and mean generation time was minimum at 33.4°C. Proportional variation in the time of immature development and adult longevity were independent of temperature, but proportional variation in the time of oviposition was related inversely to temperature. Extreme temperatures appeared to lengthen the preoviposition period and reduce the duration of egg production. Relationships were compared with previous studies. Equations developed and presented in this article will be used to develop a temperature-dependent stable fly population model.