[Determination of thermal requirements of Stomoxys calcitrans (L.) (Diptera, Muscidae), under laboratory conditions]

Abstract

The biology of immature stages of Stomoxys calcitrans (L.) was studied in the laboratory under four constant temperatures. The study was carried out in biological incubators at 20, 25, 30 and 35 degrees C; 65 +/- 10% relative humidity and 14 hours of photophase. The most favorable temperature for developing eggs, larval and pupal was 25 degrees C, while 35 degrees C proved to be harmful for a normal developing of S. calcitrans in larval stage. The incubation periods for egg were 69.90, 42.58, 26.10, 21.78 hours and 2.91, 1.77, 1.08, 0.90 days at 20, 25, 30, 35 degrees C, respectively. The larval stage was 18.40, 11.63, 8.55 days and, the pupal stage, 8.60, 4.54, 3.60 days at 20, 25, 30 degrees C, respectively.. Threshold temperatures for males were a little higher than for females, however, this difference was lesser than 1 decree C. On the other hand, the quantity of energy (GD) for developing females was a little higher than for males.