Studies on Odontoloxozus longicornis (Diptera: Neriidae). Part I. Life History and Descriptions of Immature Stages1

Colonization techniques are given for this cactiphilic species, the first of its family to be cultured successfully in the laboratory. The egg, larval, and pupal stages are described and illustrated; development required 4, 14–31, and 8–10 days, respectively. Eclosion from the egg and emergence of the adult from the pupa are also described. Larval growth in general was found to be continuous, but three instars could be distinguished on the basis of the morphology and measurements of the prothoracic spiracle and the cephalopharyngeal skeleton; these were constant throughout each instar but differed markedly from one instar to the next. Adult morphology is briefly described, and some behavioral studies are reported. A peritrichous ciliate of the genus Operculariella Stammer was found living upon the larvae cultured in the laboratory.