Posted by mswalker on 25-04-2015 19:20
#1
I am a science writer and I have a general question about dipterans. Is is correct to say that the majority of dipterans are oviparous? I know that in some species larva hatch inside the mother or the mother lays "pre-puparium", but do most dipteran species have a life cycle similar to a house fly, i.e. egg, larva, pupa, adult? I don't want to make an incorrect statement in my article.
Thank you, Meredith
Posted by John Carr on 25-04-2015 23:00
#2
Most Diptera eggs hatch outside the female, and most of the exceptions do not lay pre-pupae but rather early stage larvae that need to feed.
Posted by mswalker on 25-04-2015 23:06
#3
Thank you. That is what I had guessed, but I was having a hard time confirming it. I definitely didn't want to get it wrong, my article is for an entomology website. I figured the folks on this website would be the best to ask.
Thank you so much for your help!- Meredith