Density and Feeding Related Mortality of Musca domestica (Lin.) Larvae (Diptera: Muscidae)

Effects of varying densities of larvae and feed with an amino acid lysine (1.5g) additive on the mortality of larvae and growth of pupae of Musca domestica (L.) were determined. Larvae were initially kept at density of 3 larvae per group in a beaker and fed with 40 per cent milk (w/v) concentration. Both the density and feeding concentrations were increased progressively. Mortality of the larvae was zero at 3 larvae per group but the mean axial ratio of puparia was observed to be 13.75±0.33. As the number of larvae increased subsequently from 3 to 6, 12, 24, 42 and 74 per each group, varying mortality values and marked reduction in axial ratios of the puparia were observed. Increasing mortality rate was also observed with the constant number of larvae kept at 24 per group at different feeding regimes in some cases. Lysine additive however, seemed to influence the reduction of mortality rate but only slightly improved mean axial ratios of puparia. This suggested that factors other than food also affected survival of larvae and growth of pupae in crowding conditions