Oviposition and Development of Fannia spp. (Diptera: Muscidae) on Poultry Manure of Low Moisture Levels

• Published in: Environmental entomology 2002-08, Vol.31 (4), p.588-593
• Main Authors: Mullens, BA, Szijj, CE, Hinkle, N C
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0046-225X
• DOI: 10.1043/0046-225X(2002)031(0588:OADOFS)2.0.CO;2

Adults of Fannia canicularis (L.) and F. femoralis (Stein) were given a choice of poultry manure of 25, 35, 45, 55, and 65% moisture for oviposition. Adult F. canicularis laid most eggs on 55 and 65% moisture manure, whereas adults of F. femoralis laid most eggs on 65% moisture manure. Few eggs of either species were laid on manure, 45% moisture. Larval development trials were conducted at 33, 40, 47, 52, and 56% manure moisture, noting number emerged, time required for emergence, and adult size. Neonate larvae of F. canicularis developed well at moisture levels .47%, some developed slowly and into smaller adults at 40%, whereas 33% moisture was lethal. Manure moisture of 40-47% depressed emergence and slowed development of neonate F. femoralis larvae. Early third instars of Fannia spp. were more resistant than neonate larvae to low moisture conditions. Some third-instar F. canicularis could survive and emerge at 33% moisture, whereas some third-instar F. femoralis could emerge at moisture levels of .40%. Overall, F. canicularis tended to use drier manure for oviposition and could develop in lower moisture conditions relative to F. femoralis. Implications of these moisture requirements for management are discussed.