Biology of the snail killing fly, Sepedon spangleri beaver (Diptera: Sciomyzidae). I. Life history

Abstract

One complete generation of the sciomyzid fly, S. spangleri, was on the average 27.90 days at 25 ± 3°C. The egg stage lasted 3.55 days. The first, second and third instar larvae lasted 4.35, 2.95 and 4.45 days respecively when fed with live snails, Australorbis glabratus. Pupae floated on the water surface for 8 days until they emerged as adults. The longevity of adults fed with crushed snails, dried milk, brewer's yeast and honey average 199.95 days for females and 136.80 days for males. Under these conditions the average number of eggs laid per female was 414.70.