Larval interactions between Phormia regina and Lucilia sericata (Diptera: Calliphoridae) on different tissue types

Background/Question/Methods   Community interactions are fundamental in how species are able to coexist together but are not largely understood and classified during larval development. In order to determine what interactions occur within these communities, larva of Lucilia sericata (Meigen) and Phormia regina (Meigen) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) were placed together on two different pig (Sus scrofa) soft tissues (depending on treatment conditions) as first instars and timed throughout their development to adults. Measures of survival and fitness were taken to evaluate what kinds of interactions were occurring on this trophic level.

Results/Conclusions   Results determined that survival was greatly impacted by which species was present in the community, with P. regina surviving significantly more when in the presence of L. sericata in comparison to P. regina alone in the community. Based on preliminary results L. sericata remains unaffected by the presence or absence of P. regina. This result leads to the conclusion that L. sericata is a facilitator species for P. regina in these communities in their larval stages. Based on the tissue type provided, the adult fitness variables changed. These findings suggest that the interactions in the community and the outcome of populations are greatly influenced by the species present during development of the blow flies and the quality of the resource. This evidence provides some understanding of coexistence within the community.