EFFECT OF LARVAL INTRAESPECIFIC COMPETITION ON THE BIOMETRIC CHARACTERS OF MUSCINA STABULANS (FALLÉN, 1817) (DIPTERA: MUSCIDAE) IN LABORATORY

ABSTRACT

The objective of the work wasto investigate the effect of larval intraespecific competition on biometrics characteristics of Muscina stabulans (Fallén, 1817) (Diptera, Muscidae) under controlled laboratory conditions. Ten densities, ranging from 100 to 1,000 larvae per 50 g of food source were established, and their biological development observed until adult phase. The high density of larvae of M. stabulans reduced their viability, weight of pupae and extended the period of the larval development. It was observed that the emergency decreased in function of the larval density, also reducing weight of the females, fecundity and reproductive investment. High levels of larval competition produce small adults with low fecundity.

KEY WORDS
Alimentary substratum; Muscina stabulans ; population density; creation in laboratory