Comparative micromorphology of third instar larvae and the breeding biology of some Afrotropical Sarcophaga (Diptera: Sarcophagidae)

Four sympatric species of Sarcophaga, viz S. cruentata Meigen, S. exuberans Pandelle, S. nodosa Engel and S. tibialis Macquart, which occur in the Transvaal, South Africa, showed oviparity under optimum laboratory breeding conditions. Details of the life cycle duration under these conditions are discussed. Rearing and colonizing methods were developed. Scanning electron microscopy of third instar larvae provided useful data in distinguishing between the four species. The characters which were examined were the spinulation of the body segments and the rim surrounding the spiracular atrium of the posterior spiracles, the anterior spiracles and the spiracular hairs of the posterior spiracles.