Fluctuating temperatures extend longevity in pupae and adult stages of the sepsid Themira biloba

Fluctuating Thermal Regimes (FTR), where organisms are held at low temperatures with a brief, daily warm pulse, have been shown to increase longevity in adult insects and improve pupa survival while reducing sublethal effects. We used FTR to extend the longevity and thus generation time of the fly species Themira biloba (Diptera: Sepsidae). T. biloba can be maintained in continuous culture and requires an insecticide-free dung substrate for larval growth and development. Our objective was to decrease labor and consumable materials required to maintain insect species in critical scientific collections using FTR. We extended pupation time from 4 days up to 8 weeks with no increase in mortality, and mean adult longevity was increased from 12 days to 50 days. FTR is a valuable tool for reducing the investment required to maintain rare and exotic insects.

Automated summary

Fluctuating Thermal Regimes (FTR) have been proven effective in extending the longevity and generation time of fruit flies, with no increase in mortality. By using FTR, pupation time of fruit flies was extended from 4 days to 8 weeks, and mean adult longevity was increased from 12 days to 50 days, reducing the resources needed for maintaining rare and exotic insects.