Rearing of the Blowfly, Phormia Regina Meigen, on a Sterile Synthetic Diet

It has been found desirable in this laboratory to attempt to rear the blowfly, Phormia regina Meigen, under conditions which avoid the stench and other undesirable features associated with the putrefying meat on which the larvae ordinarily are fed. In particular, a method was required which could be depended upon to produce a stock which would be more uniform physiologically and hence more suitable for comparing the effectiveness of candidate insecticides or for studying their mechanism of action.