Nutrition and reproduction in the Australian Sheep Blowfly Lucilia cuprina.

Abstract

Carbohydrate, protein, and salts are essential for the development of eggs by Lucilia cuprina (Wied.). In the presence of sucrose, each of the following is adequate for egg development: casein, milk, yeast, egg albumen, and gelatin plus L-tryptophan. However, egg development on these foods is slower than on liver. Contrary to previous findings, it is shown that sheep droppings may provide adequate food for the development of eggs in L. cuprina, especially droppings from sheep on improved pastures during spring and autumn, when both pasture and faeces have a relatively high protein content.