After feeding on the mixture
(semi solid) the flies copulated and the female flies laid clustered visible
white egg (1-2mm) on the substrate in the tray placed inside the cage. After 24
hours, the eggs laid in the tray were transferred into a larger substrate tank
where the metamorphosed into larva after 24hours. Larvae fed on substrate and
developed.
LARVAL
DEVELOPMENT
Larval development was
categorized into three instars and they are as follows:
FIRST INSTAR
At early in star, the larvae were 2 to 5mm long typically
creamy white in color, cylindrical but tapering toward the head. The 2 day- old
legless maggots fed on the moist substrate and developed more in size.
SECOND INSTAR
At second in star, larva fed more on the substrate and
became bigger in size (5-10mm) than the first larva in star and at that point,
the maggots were observed to shed their skin and entered the next in star.
THIRD INSTAR
At third and the final in star stage, the maggots were
observed to be much more bigger in size (10mm-20mm),more mature and their
anatomy became more conspicuous ; the anterior and posterior spiracles used for
respiration have developed and spines on the body segments have become well
pronounced at this stage of development(Plate v). Maggots moved greatly in a
gregarious manner towards water logged area in the substrate tank while some
moved toward the other cool dark area getting ready to pupate.
Plate v
Harvested housefly maggots