Using the Pungent Seed Flesh of the Durian Fruit, Durio Zibethinus, to Synchronize the Second Ovarian Cycle of Phormia Regina (Diptera: Calliphoridae)

Because it is very difficult to synchronize subsequent egg cycles among individuals to allow correlation of various endocrine events with vitellogenic events, most research on the dietary-regulated endocrine control of oogenesis in higher Diptera has been focused on the 1st gonotrophic cycle. This difficulty stems from the fact that flies usually feed to varying degree on the oviposition substrate either while laying eggs, or immediately after laying eggs. This lack of control over both meal size and timing of feeding in egg-laying females results in asynchrony in the next ovarian cycle. We report here that a female Phormia regina (Meigen) readily lays her eggs on the odorous seed flesh of the tropical fruit durian, Durio zibethinus Murr. Further, the amount of durian flesh ingested while egg laying appears insufficient in terms of protein content to initiate/support the 2nd ovarian cycle. Thus, after egg deposition on durian seed flesh, the 2nd ovarian cycle of a cohort of flies can be initiated and supported synchronously by a 2nd replete liver (protein) meal.