A new technique for feeding Pseudolynchia canariensis (Macquart, 1839) (Diptera, Hippoboscidae) under laboratory conditions.

The objective of this work was to present a new technique for feeding Pseudolynchia canariensis, reducing both fly-host and researcher-host contact. Flies obtained from pigeons caught in Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil were housed in screen top test tubes and kept at 27 degrees C 80%RH. Three infestation-free pigeons were kept in screen cages as their food source. Pigeons were restrained on a wooden frame with test tube supports and a muzzle and twine to immobilize the head and wings, respectively. To minimize bird stress, both feeding wing and birds were alternated. Using this new technique, 60 flies were kept under laboratory conditions for an average of 12 +/- 17.8 days. This method allowed up to six flies per time to be fed in a short space of time, thus helping reduce stress for the animals used.