Note on the Blow Fly Phaenicia sericata (Mg.) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) in Newfoundland

In October, 1953, an estimated 20 per cent of the sheep in “The Green” section of Bell Island, Conception Bay, Newfoundland, were infested with blowfly larvae. In some instances the infestation was so severe that the sheep died from the attack. Larvae collected from an infested sheep were reared on...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Canadian Entomologist
Main Author: Morris, Ray F.
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 1954
Subjects:
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.4039/ent86356-8
https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0008347X00102913
Description
Summary:In October, 1953, an estimated 20 per cent of the sheep in “The Green” section of Bell Island, Conception Bay, Newfoundland, were infested with blowfly larvae. In some instances the infestation was so severe that the sheep died from the attack. Larvae collected from an infested sheep were reared on Pard (Swift Canadian Company, Toronto) dog food. The flies were considered by Mr. J. F. McAlpine, Systematic Entomology Unit, Entomology Division, Ottawa, to be of Phaenicia sericata (Mg.). Mr. McAlpine (in litt.) hoted that the Newfonndland specimens differed slightly from Hall's concept of P. sericata in colour, degree of pollinosity, and width of from in the male; however, a small series of reared adults was all that was available from Newfoundland and these differences may fall within the limits of variation for such a common, widespread species.