Life table of Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius) (Diptera: Calliphoridae)

The life history of the oriental latrine fly, Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius), was studied at 26 degrees C in the laboratory. The raw data were analyzed based on the age-stage, two-sex life table, in order to take both sexes and the variable developmental rate among individuals and between sexes into consideration. The intrinsic rate of increase (r), the finite rate of increase (lambda), the net reproduction rate (R-O) and the mean generation time (T) of C. megacephala were 0.2182, 1.2438 d(-1), 91.7 offspring/individual and 20.7 days, respectively. The life expectancy of a newborn egg is 32 days. The maximum reproductive value of females is on the 19th day, which coincides with the total pre-oviposition period counted from birth. The two-sex life table analysis gives a comprehensive description of the stage differentiation of C. megacephala. (C) 2005 Elsevier SAS. All rights reserved.