Posted by sufistic on 23-11-2009 13:15
#1
Hello everyone, I'm new to this forum. I'm an avid insect collector specifically mantids. What I'm interested to learn from the experts here is whether or not it's possible to culture moth flies, specifically Clogmia albipunctata and how does one go about it?
Many thanks
Posted by Gunnar M Kvifte on 25-11-2009 14:40
#2
Clogmia albipunctata is easily cultured, according to Simões et al. (1977), Schmidt-Ott et al. (1994) and Rohr et al. (1999). According to the later two articles, Klaus Sander (sanderk@uni-freiburg.de) is the man to talk to about these matters and will provide cultivation protocols upon request.
For breeding smaller moth flies (Psychoda spp. sensu Wagner, Withers, Bravo, etc.), Turner (1923) cites dung, decaying vegetation or agar made from a hay infusion as appropriate media. The common filter fly Psychoda (Tinearia) alternata Say, 1824 has a life cycle at about two weeks at 22-25 centigrades; between 27 and 30 centigrades it may be as short as a week.
Rohr, K. B., Tautz, D. & Sander, K. (1999) Segmentation gene expression in the mothmidge Clogmia albipunctata (Diptera, Psychodidae) and other primitive dipterans. Development Genes and Evolution, 209, 145-154.
Schmidt-Ott, U., Sander, K. & Technau, G. M. (1994) Expression of engrailed in embryos of a beetle and five dipteran species with special reference to the terminal regions Development Genes and Evolution, 203, 298-303.
Simões, L. C. G., Jurand, A. & Sehgal, S. S. (1977) Cell differentiation during the ontogeny of larval salivary glands of the fly, Telmatoscopus albipunctatus. Journal of Insect Physiology, 23, 843-854.
Turner, C. L. (1923) The Psychodidae (moth-like flies) as subjects for studies in breeding and heredity. The American Naturalist, 57 (653) 545-558.