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Title: Artificial diets used in mass production of the New World Screwworm, Cochliomyia hominivorax

Author
item Chen, Hong
item Chaudhury, Muhammad
item SAGEL, AGUSTIN - US Department Of State
item Phillips, Pamela
item Skoda, Steven

Submitted to: Journal of Applied Entomology
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/22/2013
Publication Date: 1/7/2014
Citation: Chen, H., Chaudhury, M.F., Sagel, A., Phillips, P.L., Skoda, S.R. 2014. Artificial diets used in mass production of the New World Screwworm, Cochliomyia hominivorax. Journal of Applied Entomology. 138(9):708-714.

Interpretive Summary: Screwworms feed on living tissue of animals and were once one of the most important pests of livestock in the U.S. They have been eradicated from North and Central America using the sterile insect technique. Successful eradication has relied on mass production of high quality screwworms using artificial diets since 1958. Many diet formulations for both larvae and adults have been developed, mainly driven by cost efficiency and material supply. However, only four larval and two adult diet formulations have been applied in the six sterile fly mass production plants in the USA, Mexico, and Panama. Herein, we briefly review the history of screwworm diet research and development, introduce the diet formulations used in mass rearing, and discuss their advantages and disadvantages in terms of plant application. Finally, we propose future research on screwworm nutrition, potential protein sources, feeding stimulants, further optimization of screwworm formulations, and possible methods to reduce the negative qualities of waste generated during the mass production.

Technical Abstract: The New World screwworm, Cochliomyia hominivorax (Coquerel) (Diptera: Calliphoridae), has been eradicated from North and Central America using the sterile insect technique. This success has been based on mass production of high quality screwworms using artificial diets since 1958. Many diet formulations for both larvae and adults have been developed, mainly driven by cost efficiency and material supply. However, only four larval and two adult diet formulations have been applied in the six sterile fly mass production plants in the USA, Mexico, and Panama. Herein, we briefly review the history of screwworm diet research and development, introduce the diet formulations used in mass rearing, and discuss their advantages and disadvantages in terms of plant application. Finally, we propose future research on screwworm nutrition, potential protein sources, feeding stimulants, further optimization of screwworm formulations, and possible methods to reduce the negative qualities of waste generated during the mass production.