Competitive interaction between larvae of Lucilia sericata (Meigen) and Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Calliphoridae)

Abstract

Rearing of L. sericata and C. albiceps in pure cultures of a variety of densities, at four constant temperature regimes, demonstrated an inverse relationship between egg density and the total development (F2,6 = 264.35 and F2,6 = 71.87 For L. sericata and C. albiceps, respectively p<0.05), survivorship (F2,9 = 68.41; p< 0.001 for L. sericata and F2,9 = 12.35; p< 0.05 for C. albiceps) and adult size (For L. sericata: males F2,9 = 58.94 and females F2,9 = 140.09. For C. albiceps: males F2,9 = 43.62 and females F2,9 = 167.99. In all cases p<0.001) of both species. Addition of C. albiceps reduced the development time and survivorship of L. sericata at a variety of densities and proportions at 17 and 23°C. While at 29 and 35°C, a complete elimination of L. sericata was recorded. Neither egg density nor temperature has a significant effect on the sex ratio of the resulting adults. It seems that the interaction between these species is a highly asymmetric case of competition. © 2007 Asian Network for Scientific Information.