Study of Muscid and Calliphorid flies in Gaborone (Insecta : Diptera)

Abstract

A survey of synanthropic species of flies in Gaborone, Botswana was carried out in various areas namely Block 9, Block 8, Village, Extension 16, Tlokweng, Block 3, Phase 4, Gaborone West, Block 5 and Extension 10. Fly maggots were collected from dustbins. Collection was done 3 times per dustbin for a period of 10-14 days. Fly maggots were identified using the posterior spiracles. Adult venation, thoracic bands and hairs of reared maggots were also used for identification. Two species, Musca domestica (Family Muscidae) and Chrysomyia megacephala (Family Calliphoridae) were identified. C. megacephala was the most predominant species and had the highest number recorded compared with M. domestica. There was a significant difference (F=4.66; P<0.05) in the number of maggots collected and this could be due to factors such as the contents of the dustbins, the refuse collection time of the dustbins and environmental factors such as humidity and temperature. The pupation time of the reared from maggots studied at temperature range 28-32°C and relative humidity of 65-68 R.H. was 5 days for M. domestica and 5-6 days C. megacephala.