Temperature‐dependant development of Nasonia vitripennis on five forensically important carrion fly species

The effects of temperature and host species on the development of Nasonia vitripennis Walker (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae), a forensically important parasitoid of carrion flies, were studied under laboratory conditions. Development time of N. vitripennis on five species of Calliphoridae (Diptera), Calliphora albifrontalis Malloch, Calliphora dubia Macquart, Lucilia sericata Meigen, Chrysomya rufifacies Macquart, and Chrysomya megacephala Fabricius, were determined under eight constant temperatures (15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, and 36 °C). Thermal requirements for development (developmental thresholds, thermal constant, and optimum temperature) of N. vitripennis in each host species were estimated using linear and nonlinear models. Upper and lower developmental thresholds ranged between 36.6–38.4 and 9.6–11.1 °C, respectively. The optimum temperature for development was estimated at between 30.6 and 31.8 °C. Statistical differences in the development time of N. vitripennis on the various calliphorid host species were evident within all temperature treatments, particularly at the upper and lower temperature range investigated. As such, it is recommended that insect‐based estimates of time since death in forensic investigations relying on parasitoid evidence should use host‐specific development data where available.     

Development of two forensically important blowfly species (Chrysomya megacephala and Chrysomya rufifacies) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) at four temperatures in India

The development of the Oriental latrine fly, Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius), and hairy maggot blowfly, C. rufifacies (Macquart) (Diptera: Calliphoridae), was studied at four different temperatures (22°C, 25°C, 29°C and 31°C) in order to draw correlations between larval age, body length and body dry weight. The mean larval body length increased steadily from a minimum of 1.4 mm for C. megacephala and 1.8 mm for C. rufifacies to a maximum of 17.4 mm for C. megacephala and 15.9 mm for C. rufifacies at different temperatures. Similarly, the mean dry weight increased steadily from a minimum of 0.0007 g for C. megacephala (second instar) and 0.0008 g for C. rufifacies (second instar) to a maximum of 0.0290 g for C. megacephala and 0.0270 g for C. rufifacies at different temperatures. Entomological evidence is often used to estimate the minimum postmortem interval (mPMI) and both of these species are important from a forensic point of view. Graphs of age of larvae vs. body length and age of larvae vs. dry body weight at different temperatures can be used to estimate the larval age of these two species.     

Larval Distribution and Behavior of Chrysomya rufifacies (Macquart) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) Relative to Other Species on Florida Black Bear (Carnivora: Ursidae) Decomposing Carcasses

Larval interactions of dipteran species, blow flies in particular, were observed and documented daily over time and location on five black bear carcasses in Gainesville, FL, USA, from June 2002 – September 2004. Cochliomyia macellaria (Fabricius) or Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius) larvae were collected first, after which Chrysomya rufifacies (Macquart) oviposited on the carcasses in multiple locations (i.e., neck, anus, and exposed flesh) not inhabited already by the other blow fly larvae. Within the first week of decomposition, C. rufifacies larvae grew to ≥12 mm, filling the carcasses with thousands of larvae and replacing the other calliphorid larvae either through successful food source competition or by predation. As a result, C. macellaria and C. megacephala were not collected past their third instar feeding stage. The blow fly species, C. megacephala, C. macellaria, Lucilia caeruleiviridis (Macquart), Phormia regina (Meigen), Lucilia sericata (Meigen), and C. rufifacies, completed two developmental cycles in the 88.5-kg carcass. This phenomenon might serve to complicate or prevent the calculation of an accurate postmortem interval.     

Development of the gregarious ectoparasitoid Nasonia vitripennis using five species of necrophagous flies as hosts and at various developmental temperatures

The utility of five species of necrophagous flies (Diptera) as pupal hosts for Nasonia vitripennis (Walker) (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) was examined by comparing incidences of parasitism, fecundity, and several features of wasp development at three rearing temperatures. Species differences in host suitability were evident in all life history features examined, with the highest incidences of parasitism, largest clutches and adult body sizes, and shortest periods of development occurring when the sarcophagid Sarcophaga bullata Parker served as hosts, regardless of temperature in which the wasps developed. Puparia of the calliphorids Lucilia illustris Meigen, Phormia regina Meigen, and Protophormia terraenovae Robineau‐Desvoidy were also accepted as hosts by the female parasitoids, albeit not equally so, and each yielded large, female‐biased broods. By contrast, pupae of the calliphorid Chrysomya rufifacies (Macquart) were not well suited to serve as an oviposition site or support the development of N. vitripennis. When successful parasitism did occur on any host species, duration of parasitoid development increased, adult body sizes were truncated, male‐biased sex ratios were produced, and mortality from egg hatch to adult emergence elevated with increasing rearing temperature. Unlike with the four other fly species, C. rufifacies did not yield any adult parasitoids when the rearing temperature was 35 °C. The results argue that developmental data determined for this wasp derived from a single host species is not sufficient for applying to all scenarios in which wasp development is necessary to estimate a postmortem interval or periods of insect activity.     

The upper thermal tolerance for a Texas population of the hairy maggot blow fly Chrysomya rufifacies Macquart (Diptera: Calliphoridae)

1. The hairy maggot blow fly (Chrysomya rufifacies: Macquart) is an invasive necrophagous fly found throughout the continental United States. Chrysomya rufifacies is of medical/veterinary, forensic, and ecological importance due to its ability to cause myiasis, colonise human remains, and displace native Diptera. However, little is known about their upper thermal tolerance, which could be used to better predict their invasion potential.
2. We investigated the upper thermal tolerance of C. rufifacies exposed to different temperatures (20–45 °C), times (1–6 h), and nutrients (no food or water, water only, or a food-water mixture) for both sexes and two age ranges (young = 6–8 days post pupal emergence; old = 9–11 days post pupal emergence).
3. As temperature or duration increased, the probability of knockdown increased (0–100% at 20 and 45 °C and from 41 to 75% at 1 and 6 h), while the probability of survival decreased (99–2% at 20 and 45 °C and from 75 to 28% at 1 and 6 h). The availability of nutrients increased thermal tolerance at moderate temperatures (40 and 42 °C). Female flies were more thermally tolerant than males (probability of knockdown = 49% vs 58%; probability of survival = 58% vs 46%). Thermal tolerance did not differ by age.
4. These data reveal details about the upper thermal tolerance for a single population of C. rufifacies, and suggest that environmental and organismal factors ought to be considered in order to make meaningful predictions about the invasion potential of C. rufifacies in North America.

     

Temperature adaptation in Chrysomya megacephala and Chrysomya pinguis,two blow fly species of forensic significance

Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) is a common and forensically important blow fly species in the Oriental region. However, in the higher mountain regions and on winter days, its habitats are occupied by a closely related species, Chrysomya pinguis (Walker). The resources that the two species employ to survive are very similar and competition between the species may be one of the factors that trigger differentiation of their behaviors. We conducted experiments to examine how these two closely related species may have adapted to different temperature regimes to avoid competition. Several adult and immature parameters were assessed, such as fecundity, locomotor ability, hatching ratio, larval survivorship, and eclosion ratio. Results indicate that species show specific diapause at high temperature (38 °C), larval survivorship of Ch. megacephala was significantly better than that of Ch. pinguis. Conversely, at low temperature (15 °C), adult locomotor ability was better for Ch. pinguis than for Ch. megacephala. The results indicate that the two species may have evolved different temperature adaptation strategies to avoid competition. In mixed‐species larval rearing experiments, competition between Ch. pinguis and Ch. megacephala was observed: at higher temperature (30 °C), the immature performance index of Ch. megacephala was significantly increased when compared to that in single‐species culture, whereas the index of Ch. pinguis was decreased. These data are consistent with the idea that tolerance for higher temperature conditions would allow larvae of Ch. megacephala to gain a competitive advantage over Ch. pinguis in certain habitats. These results may help to explain their current distribution in the environment and provide more biological information on these forensically important species.     

The distribution of adult blow-flies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) along an altitudinal gradient in Central Spain

The distribution of Calliphoridae along an altitudinal gradient was investigated in Central Spain using carrion-baited traps. Significant differences were found between elevation and mean abundances of almost all species of blow-flies. Several species of flies could be grouped according to their altitudinal preferences so that samples at high elevations are defined by Calliphora vomitoria and Calliphora vicina while samples at low elevations are defined by two thermophilous species: Lucilia sericata and Chrysomya albiceps. The remaining species show preferences for mid-elevations where wooded areas are more characteristic along the altitudinal gradient. Calliphora vomitoria and Chrysomya albiceps are the most abundant species representing the 87.74 % of all captures. Both species are spatially segregated along the altitudinal gradient. The changing patterns of abundance are discussed in relation to differences in climate conditions along the altitudinal gradient concluding that the environmental variables that influence the seasonality of many species also play an important role to explain the spatial distribution.     

Dispersal and Predation Behavior in Larvae of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chrysomya albiceps</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chrysomya megacephala</Emphasis> (Diptera: Calliphoridae)

Chrysomya albiceps and Chrysomya megacephala are exotic blowfly species known by producing myiasis in humans and other animals and by transmitting pathogens mechanically. C. albiceps stand out by being a facultative predator of other dipteran larvae. In this paper we investigated the influence of larval predation on the dispersal of larvae of C. albiceps and C. megacephala single and double species for three photophases. An experimental acrylic channel graduated and covered with wood shavings was used to observe the larval dispersal. The results showed that C. albiceps attacks C. megacephala larvae during dispersal and keeps an aggregated pattern close to the release point, in single and double species, independently of the different photophases. Chrysomya megacephala single species exhibited the same pattern, but in double species this was changed to a random distribution.     

The larvae of some blowflies of medical and veterinary importance

Diagnostic features are described as a series of couplets that enable separation of the third instar larvae of the following pairs of closely related forms of blowflies of medical and veterinary importance: Chrysomya chloropyga (Wiedemann) and Ch.putoria (Wiedemann), Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann) and Ch.rufifacies (Macquart), Cochliomyia hominivorax (Coquerel) and Co.macellaria (Fabricius), Lucilia sericata (Mergen) and L. cuprina (Wiedemann), Calliphora augur (Fabricius) and C. stygia (Fabricius).     

Larval survival of two species of forensically important blowflies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) after submergence in water

Survival of larvae of known ages after 2 to 6 h of submersion under water was assessed by observing pupation and adult emergence in the cases of two blowflies of forensic importance, Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius) and Chrysomya rufifacies (Macquart). Lowest survival occurred among 10‐h‐old larvae, which could not tolerate more than 2 h of submergence. Even with such a small period of submergence success of survival was only 33%. There were no survivors when 20‐ and 30‐h‐old larvae were submerged for more than 3 and 4 h, respectively. In the cases of 40‐, 50‐, 60‐ and 70‐h‐old larvae there were no survivors if submergence was more than 5 h. The results show that there is an inverse relationship between submergence period and survival rate: the longer the submergence period, the lesser is the survival rate. This study provides data that are potentially useful in estimating the minimum time since submergence (TSS) of a corpse during forensic investigations.     

Thermoregulation in gregarious dipteran larvae: evidence of species‐specific temperature selection

Due to the ephemeral nature of carcasses they grow on, necrophagous blowfly larvae should minimize the time spent on the cadaver. This could be achieved by moving to high‐temperature areas. On that basis, we theorized that larvae placed in a heterogeneous thermal environment would move to the higher temperature that speed up their development. This study was designed to (1) test the ability of necrophagous larvae to orientate in a heterogeneous thermal environment, and (2) compare the temperatures selected by the larvae of three common blowfly species: Lucilia sericata (Meigen), Calliphora vomitoria (L.) and Calliphora vicina (Robineau‐Desvoidy). For this purpose, we designed a setup we named Thermograde. It consists of a food‐supplied linear thermal gradient that allows larvae to move, feed, and grow in close‐to‐real conditions, and to choose to stay at a given temperature. For each species and replication, 80 young third instars were placed on the thermal gradient. The location of larvae was observed after 19 h, with fifteen replications per species. The larvae of each species formed aggregations that were always located at the same temperatures, which were highly species‐specific: 33.3 ± 1.52 °C for L. sericata, 29.6 ± 1.63 °C for C. vomitoria, and 22.4 ± 1.55 °C for C. vicina. According to the literature, these value allows a fast development of the larvae, but not to reach the maximum development rate. As control experiments clearly demonstrate that larval distribution was not due to differences in food quality, we hypothesized that the local temperature selection by larvae may result from a trade‐off between development quality and duration. Indeed, temperature controls not only the development rate of the larvae, but also the quality of their growth and survival rate. Finally, results raise questions regarding the way larvae moved on the gradient and located their preferential temperature.     

Stocking rate and organic waste type affect development of three Chrysomya species and Lucilia sericata (Diptera: Calliphoridae): Implications for bioconversion

Fly larvae can be used effectively to reduce various organic waste types and produce value-added products, including protein as an ingredient in livestock feeds and oil for biodiesel production. However, fly development on different waste types may cause differences in growth rate and the body composition, which can further be influenced by fly species and their stocking rate. This study explored the impact of different waste types (kitchen waste, abattoir waste and swine manure) and larval stocking rate on growth and body composition of four blowfly species, Chrysomya chloropyga (Wiedemann), Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius), Chrysomya putoria (Wiedemann) and Lucilia sericata (Meigen). First-instar larvae (20, 50 or 100), less than 3 hr old, were placed on 100 g of each waste type. Pre-pupal mass at commencement of post-feeding larval dispersal, time to onset of dispersal, survival and nutrient reserves were determined for each species, stocking rate and waste type. Our results revealed that larvae fed kitchen and abattoir waste had significantly higher dry mass, crude protein and lipid content compared with those fed swine manure. Higher survival rate was observed with increasing larval stocking rate. We provide important information to guide the mass production of high-quality nutrient-rich larvae and recommend C. putoria, which is versatile and effective on a range of waste products, as well as high in protein and lipids. The implications for waste management are discussed.     

Carrion flies of forensic interest: a study of seasonal community composition and succession in Lisbon,Portugal

Information on Diptera community, seasonality and successional patterns in every geographical region is fundamental for the use of flies as forensic indicators of time of death. In order to obtain these data from the Lisbon area (Portugal), experiments were conducted during the four seasons of the year, using piglet carcasses as animal models. Five stages were recognized during the decomposition process. The stages, besides visually defined, could be separated taking into account the occurrence and abundance of the specific groups of Diptera collected. In general, the bloated stage recorded higher abundance and species‐richness values. Seventy‐one species were identified, belonging to 39 families, in a total of 20 144 adult Diptera collected. Autumn yielded the highest values of species richness, whereas winter had the lowest. In all seasons of the year, Calliphoridae was the dominant family; Muscidae and Fanniidae were very abundant as well. Calliphora vicina Robineau‐Desvoidy, Calliphora vomitoria (Linnaeus), Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann), Lucilia ampullacea Villeneuve, Lucilia caesar (Linnaeus), Lucilia sericata (Meigen) (Calliphoridae), Hydrotaea ignava (Harris), Muscina prolapsa (Harris), Synthesiomyia nudiseta (van der Wulp) (Muscidae), Piophila megastigmata McAlpine, Stearibia nigriceps (Meigen) (Piophilidae) and Nemopoda nitidula (Fallén) (Sepsidae) were revealed to be very important members of the Diptera community collected. The necrophagous behaviour, demonstrated by their immatures, using carrion as a food source makes them useful forensic indicator species. Also of relevance is the presence of Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius), S. nudiseta and P. megastigmata, foreign species established in the local carrion communities. This study also marks the first record of S. nudiseta in Portugal.     

Pollination activity by blowflies and honeybees on onions in breeders' cages

Honeybees (Apis mellifera) and three species of blowflies (Calliphora vomitoria, Lucilia caesar and L. sericata) were observed on mass-pollinated populations of onions (Allium cepa) in 4·4 × 3·6 m × 2-2·5 m cages in June-August 1977. Pollination activity at temperatures from 14° to 28°C was compared on the basis of mean time per flower touched on each umbel visit. Honeybees did not forage below 16°C. Above 16°C their mean time per flower was short (1·4 s) and varied little with temperature. For blowflies, it decreased markedly from 12·1 s at 14–15·5°C to 2·7 s at 26°C and above, largely because at low temperatures flies spent long periods quiescent or grooming rather than actively feeding. When flowering was not completely synchronous between cultivars, honeybees were more selective than blowflies, but where flowering was synchronous, both types of pollinator visited the two cultivars at random. For the size of cage used, neither type of insect had a distinct advantage as a pollinator of onions, despite their different behaviour patterns.     

Polytene chromosome sof monogenic and amphogenic Chrysomya species (Calliphoridae,diptera): analysis of banding patterns and in situ hybridization with Drosophila sex determining gene sequences

Standard maps for the five banded polytene chromosomes found in trichogen cell nuclei of the monogenic blowfly Chrysomya rufifacies and the amphogenic Chrysomya pinguis are presented. The chromosomes are highly homologous in the two species; differences in banding patterns are predominantly caused by one pericentric and ten paracentric inversions. In chromosome 5 of the amphogenic Chrysomya phaonis, also analysed in this paper, an additional paracentric inversion was observed. The distribution of species specific inversions indicates that the monogenic C. rufifacies is phylogenetically older than the amphogenic species. The maternal sex realizer locus F'/f on polytene chromosome 5 of C. rufifacies is not associated with a structural heterozygosity. Chromosome pair 6 of C. rufifacies and the sex chromosome pair of C. pinguis are under-replicated in polytene nuclei; they consist of irregular chromatin granules, frequently associated with nucleolus material. Evolution of heteromorphic sex chromosomes in Chrysomya is probably correlated with heterochromatin accumulation. A search for sex determining genes in Chrysomya was initiated using sex determining sequences from Drosophila melanogaster for in situ hybridization. The polytene band 41A1 on chromosome 5 of monogenic and amphogenic Chrysomya species contains sequences homologous to the maternal sex determining gene daughterless (da). Homology to the zygotic gene Sex-lethal (Sxl) of Drosophila is detected in band 39A1 on chromosome 5 of C. rufifacies. The findings reported here are the first evidence for a possible homology between the da gene of Drosophila and the maternal sex realizer F of C. rufifacies. An hypothesis for the evolution of the maternal effect sex determination of C. rufifacies is proposed.Dedicated to Professor Dr. Fritz-Helmut Ullerich on the occasion of his 60th birthday     

Thermal adaptation affects interactions between a range‐expanding and a native odonate species

1. Increasing temperature and invading species may interact in their effects on communities. In this study, we investigated how rising temperatures alter larval interactions between a naturally range‐expanding dragonfly, Crocothemis erythraea, and a native northern European species, Leucorrhinia dubia. Initial studies revealed that C. erythraea grow up to 3.5 times faster than L. dubia at temperatures above 16 °C. As a result, we hypothesised that divergent temperature responses would lead to rapid size differences between coexisting larvae and, consequently, to asymmetric intraguild predation at higher ambient temperatures. 2. Mortality and growth rates were measured in interaction treatments (with both species present) and non‐interaction controls (one species present) at four different temperature regimes: at an ambient temperature representative of central Germany, where both species overlap in distribution, and at temperatures increased by 2, 4 and 6 °C. 3. The mortality of C. erythraea did not differ between treatment and control. In contrast, mortality of L. dubia remained similar over all temperatures in the controls, but increased with temperature in the presence of the other species and was significantly higher there than in the controls. We concluded that L. dubia suffered asymmetric intraguild predation, particularly at increased temperature. Reduced growth rate of L. dubia in the interaction treatment at higher temperatures also suggested asymmetric competition for prey in the first phase of the experiment. 4. The results imply that the range expansion of C. erythraea may cause reduction in population size of syntopic L. dubia when temperature rises by more than 2 °C. The consequences for future range patterns, as well as other factors that may influence the interaction in nature, are discussed.     

Quickie well done: no evidence of physiological costs in the development race of Lucilia sericata necrophagous larvae

The present study focuses on trade-offs between the development rates and their life-history traits of feeding larvae. Indeed, quick growth is considered to be vital for necrophagous insects such as larvae because they are part of a rapidly changing ecosystem and at the mercy of many predators. However, excessively quick growth can have a negative effect on other life-history traits (e.g. survivorship and body size). The blowfly Lucilia sericata (Diptera: Calliphoridae) is used in the present study because this species is frequently found on carcasses in Central Europe and is a well-known experimental model in insect physiology and ecology. Individuals are reared from first instars to adults at two different constant temperatures (i.e. 15 and 28 °C) and under three different conditions: 100 Lucilia sericata (i.e. small monospecific condition), 250 L. sericata (i.e. large monospecific) or 125 L. sericata + 125 Calliphora vicina (i.e. heterospecific). The development time, pupal and larval survival rate and pupal size are determined individually under each condition. Regarding size and development time, substantial variation is observed between the different growth conditions and within a larval group under the same conditions. However, no trade-offs between development rate and size or survival are detected. These results demonstrate that, under the range of developmental conditions tested in the present study, the quick development of L. sericata larvae does not affect their size or mortality. This developmental plasticity may explain the evolutionary success of this species, which is present in several ecosystems worldwide and dominates the fresh-carrion ecosystem.     

GATA tandem repeats detect minisatellite regions in blowfly DNA (Diptera: Calliphoridae)

A DNA probe containing GATA tandem repeats detected numerous dispersed minisatellite regions in the genomes of the blowflies Chrysomya rufifacies and Calliphora erythrocephala. These regions seemed to be actively transcribed into poly(A)⁺ RNA in a tissue-specific manner. When genomic DNA of blastoderm embryos was compared with adult genomic DNA some loci hybridizing to GATA displayed a marked stage-specific variation in length. In Calliphora, a small sex-linked dimorphism of GATA minisatellite associated restriction fragments was observed.     

Effects of temperature on the post-diapause embryonic development and the hatching time in three grasshopper species (Orth., Acrididae)

A study was conducted to determine the effects of six constant temperatures (15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40°C) on the post‐diapause embryonic development and the hatching time in three grasshopper species –Omocestus haemorrhoidalis (Charp.), Calliptamus abbreviatus Ikonn. and Chorthippus fallax (Zub.) – from the Inner Mongolian steppe. The results indicate that the species differ in the developmental rates, survival curves and cumulative hatching probabilities. The eggs of O. haemorrhoidalis had the fastest developmental rate with a low developmental threshold temperature of 9.9°C and the sum of effective temperature (SET) 211.2 degree‐days (DD). The corresponding values were 10.9°C and 210.6 DD for C. abbreviatus, 10.5°C and 240.2 DD for Ch. fallax respectively. The SET at which 50% of post‐diapause eggs hatched were 252.0 DD for O. haemorrhoidalis, 262.8 DD for C. abbreviatus, and 273.3 DD for Ch. fallax. The predicted maximal hatch ability of O. haemorrhoidalis (91.17%), C. abbreviatus (75.67%) and Ch. fallax (94.07%) occurred at 23.7, 29.0 and 31.3°C, respectively. The thermal death points of each species were reached at 43.3, 45.0 and 48.6°C. The optimal temperature ranges were 12.2–35.2°C for O. haemorrhoidalis, 21.7–36.3°C for C. abbreviatus and 20.9–41.7°C for Ch. fallax respectively. These results suggest that O. haemorrhoidalis adapt to hatch at a lower temperature range, C. abbreviatus adapt to mid‐temperature range, while Ch. fallax adapt to hatch at a higher temperature range. Although the SET of Ch. fallax is more than that of the other two species, it is not sufficient to explain the hatching sequence of the species in springtime. The results also indicate that Ch. fallax and O. haemorrhoidalis have wider adaptive temperature range than C. abbreviatus.     

To eat or get heat: Behavioral trade‐offs between thermoregulation and feeding in gregarious necrophagous larvae

The thermoregulation behavior of Lucilia sericata larvae (Diptera: Calliphoridae), a necrophagous species that feeds on vertebrate cadavers, was investigated. These larvae require high heat incomes to develop, and can elevate temperatures by forming large aggregates. We hypothesized that L. sericata larvae should continue to feed at temperatures up to 38 °C, which can be reached inside larval masses. Thermal regulation behavior such as movement between a hot food spot and colder areas was also postulated. The hypotheses were tested by tracking for 1 h the activity of single, starved third instar larvae in a Petri dish containing 1 food spot (FS) that was heated to a constant temperature of 25 °C, 34 °C or 38 °C with an ambient temperature of 25 °C. The influence of previous conspecific activity in the food on larval behavior was also tested. The crops of larvae were dissected to monitor food content in the digestive systems. Based on relative crop measurements, larvae fed at all food temperatures, but temperature strongly affected larval behavior and kinematics. The total time spent by larvae in FS and the duration of each stay decreased at high FS temperature. Previous activity of conspecifics in the food slightly increased the time spent by larvae in FS and also decreased the average distance to FS. Therefore, necrophagous L. sericata larvae likely thermoregulate during normal feeding activities by adjusting to local fluctuations in temperature, particularly inside maggot masses. By maintaining a steady internal body temperature, larvae likely reduce their development time.