A TECHNIQUE FOR THE COLLECTION AND REARING OF LATE-STAGE 3RD-INSTARS OF HYPODERMA-LINEATUM (DIPTERA, OESTRIDAE)

An inexpensive and efficient technique for collection and rearing of l ate-stage, third-instar larvae of the common cattle grub, Hypoderma li neatum (Villers), is described. Yearling calves were maintained in ind ividual stalls with expanded metal floors. Larvae exited the back tiss ues naturally and fell through the expanded metal floors and were coll ected on screens located beneath the floor. In two seasons (1994-1996) , 633 late-stage, third-instar larvae were collected from a total of 2 9 infested calves. A total of 500 adult flies, with a male:female sex ratio of 249:247, were produced from 597 larvae placed in an incubator for adult fly production.