An alternative protocol for rearing of stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans (Diptera: Muscidae) under laboratory conditions

Stomoxys calcitrans is widely adopted in experiments due to their relevance in animal health. Nevertheless, the rearing of S. calcitrans under laboratory conditions is still a challenge. In this manuscript, we show a new method for rearing the immature stages of S. calcitrans using plant material as only substrate source and sterilized sand for pupae to mimic their natural environment in order to maintain the colonies in the laboratory and for other biological tests. For this purpose, 65 eggs were collected from the colony established in the laboratory and placed into Petri dishes (80 x 15 mm) containing 50 grams of a mixture of alfalfa hay (100 g) and distilled water (200 ml), in a controlled environment (27 +/- 1 degrees C and 70 +/- 5 % UR), and the experiment was repeated six times. The mean number of days for egg hatching was 1.4 (+/- 0.5), the larval period from L1 to L3 was 11.33 days (+/- 1.75) and the pupal period was 5.83 days (+/- 0.51). The complete cycle from egg to adult was 18.66 days (+/- 2.06). The mean larval survival rate, pupation rate, and emergence rate (pupa to adult) were 91.03 % (+/- 3.14), 88.71 % (+/- 3.17), and 91.13 % (+/- 3.0), respectively. The results obtained in the present work indicated that the use of a larval substrate with alfalfa hay allowed the development of immature stages of S. calcitrans in laboratory, which has been demonstrated by the good percentages of larval development, pupation, and adult emergence.

Automated summary

This study demonstrated a successful method for rearing the immature stages of S. calcitrans in laboratory conditions using plant material as substrate source and sterilized sand. The results showed high percentages of larval survival, pupation, and adult emergence, indicating the efficacy of the new rearing method.