Reproductive Biology of Sarcophaga tibialis (Diptera: Sarcophagidae). I. Life History with Notes on Prepupation Mortality and Pupation Habits

The life history of Sarcophaga tibialis Macquart from the uterine larva to the preoviposition period is described. Larvae in the uterus retain their embryonic sheaths but shed these soon after larviposition. Liver, fish heads, and bird flesh were suitable larviposition media and supported larval growth. Both fresh and previously frozen liver attracted gravid females. Copulation was possible with or without prior access by flies to a protein meal. Adult emergence rates from pupae were high, and the larval medium had no apparent effect on the percents of flies emerging.