Effect of larval population density on dynamics of growth in Chrysomyia albiceps (Wiedemann). I. Effect of feeding behaviour and growth rate of larvae.
The feeding behaviour of uncrowded and crowded larvae differed as soon as feeding began. In case of high density populations, larvae tend to form dense clusters and this gregariousness is responsible for much of the injury and resulting predation. Larval growth rate had the same pattern up to 200 larvae per 20 grams meat, then this pattern greatly changed with the increase of densities. Larval survivorship remained high at densities up to 160 larvae per 20 gm meat, then decreased rapidly as larval density increased. The duration of larval development was extended and synchronization of larval pupal ecdysis was affected. Percentage of pupation and pupal weight were greatly decreased at high densities.
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