The development of Protophormia terraenovae (Robineau-Desvoidy) at constant temperatures and its minimum temperature threshold

The immature development of the forensically important blow fly Protophormia terraenovae (Robineau-Desvoidy) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) was observed at a range of constant temperatures: 9.8, 11, 13, 15, 20, 25, 28, 30, and 32 °C, and the minimum developmental times and mode of development to reach each stage were recorded. A comparison of the actual minimum temperature threshold was made to findings from linear extrapolation. The minimum temperature thresholds for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd instars fell within 9.8 and 11 °C and those of the post feeding, pupal and adult stages fell within the range of 11-13 °C. However, in all cases the actual minimum temperature thresholds were greatly underestimated by the linear method.