Life history and biocontrol potential of Dictya montana Steyskal, 1954 (Diptera: Sciomyzidae), a snail-killing fly

Information on the life history of the snail-killing fly, Dictya montana Steyskal 1954 is presented. The mean duration of the immature stages at 26 degrees C was 21.56 +/- 2.60 days and larvae were voracious predators with a mean predation capacity of 16,60 +/- 1.76 snails. The survival period of unfed neonate larvae appeared to be temperature dependent and ranged from 2 to 29 days at 26 degrees C and 4 degrees C respectively. However, storage of freshly laid eggs at -20 degrees C for 7 days did not yield viable larvae. For the first time, the phenology of D. montana is detailed and its biocontrol potential against snail-borne diseases is discussed.