The impact of chilling on selected attributes of the blowfly, calliphora vicina (Robineau-desvoidy, 1830) (diptera: Calliphoridae), under laboratory conditions

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of four different chilling periods, varying from 24 to 120 h, on the mean survival rate, larval and pupal development durations and the pupal and adult weight of Calliphora vicina (Robineau-Desvoidy) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) under laboratory conditions at 4 ºC in 2018 at Ondokuz Mayıs University. Chilling reduced the survival rate of the pupae of all developmental stages. The adult eclosion rate of first instar larvae and pupae was lower, especially after 72 and 120 h chilling periods, but it increased for the second instar, third instar and postfeeding larvae with increasing chilling period. In addition, the larval development period was increased by increased chilling period for all developmental stages except for postfeeding larvae for 120 h. Pupal and adult weight were also affected by chilling period, and the postfeeding larval and pupal stages were the most intolerant groups to chilling. Overall, the effects of chilling on the life history parameters of C. vicina were substantial and should be considered to provide a more reliable estimate of postmortem interval.