Breeding Enhancement of Musca domestica L. 1758: Egg Load as a Measure of Optimal Larval Density

SIMPLE SUMMARY: The amount of waste produced by the population creates general health problems in terms of public health and hygiene. In recent years the common housefly (Musca domestica L. 1758) has been widely used in the treatment of organic wastes. This study aims to assess the effect of egg loading of the common housefly on maggot development and waste reduction. To do this, several housefly egg loads were incubated on three different substrates. This study indicated that larval biomass, larval number, the survival rate from egg hatching until the last larval instar and substrate rate reduction of Musca domestica are affected by the egg load, substrate type and their interaction. It was found that under the same nutritional conditions, the yield of housefly larvae, the number of larvae and the reduction of substrates increased with increasing egg load. ABSTRACT: The amount of waste produced by the population creates general health problems in terms of public health and hygiene. In recent years the common housefly (Musca domestica L. 1758; Dipteran: Muscidae) has been widely used in the treatment of organic wastes. This study aims to assess the effect of egg loading of the common housefly on maggot development and waste reduction. Housefly larvae were reared at four egg loads (1.25, 2.5, 5, 10 mg) under three different diets (wheat bran, millet bran, cow dung). Two-factor ANOVA (α = 0.05) was used to test the effect of two fixed factors (egg load and substrate) on larval biomass, the survival rate from egg hatching until the last larval instar, number of larvae and substrate reduction rate. The comparison of means based on Duncan’s test was performed to compare the means of the different variables measured. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to determine the relationship between the measured variables (larval biomass, the survival rate from egg hatching until the last larval instar, number of larvae, and substrate reduction rate) on the discrimination of the egg load factor. The results showed that under the same nutritional conditions, the yield of housefly larvae, the number of larvae and the reduction of substrates increased with increasing egg load. Indeed, at each of three substrates, the rearing egg load of 10 mg resulted in the maximum larval yield, maximum number of larvae, and maximum substrate reduction rate. At this optimum load, wheat bran generated greater biomass, greater number of larvae and greater reduction of substrate compared to millet bran and cow dung. The egg load as a whole had no effect on the survival rate from egg hatching until the last larval instar, unlike substrate type. The high egg load for the survival rate (from egg hatching until the last larval instar) for millet bran was 1.25 while there was no difference for the other two substrates. These results can help to make the waste treatment process efficient with the subsequent production of a large larval biomass that can serve as added value in animal feed. The egg load of 10 mg and the wheat bran were superior respectively to the other egg load and substrates type for all parameters tested excepted for the survival rate (from egg hatching until the last larval instar). Ours study indicated that larval biomass, larval number, egg viability and substrate rate reduction of Musca domestica are affected by the egg load, substrate type and their interaction.