The Biological characteristics of Ptecticus aurifer Walker

Author of the article:CHAI ZQ，HOU BH，Wang FB，GUO MF，Chen XF

Author's Workplace：1. South China Botanica Garden, Chinese Academy Sciences, Guangzhou 510650, China; 2. Guangdong Entomological Institute, Guangzhou 510260, China 3. Graduate University Chinese Academy Sciences, Beijing 100039, China 4. Shaoguan Yuehuang Agricultural Eco-Scientific Co., Ltd., Ruyuan 512726, China

Key Words：Ptecticus aurifer, morphology, behavior, biological characteristics, annual life history

Abstract：           Ptecticus aurifer Walker could consume manure and produce feedstuff for livestock. The morphology and behavior of Ptecticus aurifer were investigated both in field and in laboratory. It needed average 37d from eggs to adults, and the body mass of larva increased fast to 0.20g from 4th day to 9th day in 25℃. Prepupa move away from food to find drier place to pupate. Adults would like to stay in sheltered and humid places, and the males of this fly had strong lekking behaviors. Mating and oviposition were normally observed at morning or evening, and it required a larger space for the adults mating successfully. The female laid average 152 eggs around the places with humus-rich. P. aurifer occured for 5~6 generations a year and overwintered as prepupa or pupa in north Guangdong province.