The quantitative relationship between life span, food ingestion, egg production, mating, and flight-activity of protein-fed blowfly Phormia terrae novae females.

The age-dependent variations in the amount of food ingestion, egg production, and flight activity of protein-fed female Phormia terrae novae were analyzed. Also the influence of mating and forced physical performance on the time course of these parameters and on life span were tested. In virgin females, the life span with the investigated factors is generally delayed, together with mean and maximum life span. In comparison to mated females virgin females exhibit a 40% prolongation of mean life span and ingest more sugar with a later intake maximum. Their egg production starts 5 days later (Day 10) but reaches only half the amount occurring in mated females. Flight performance is generally higher in virgin females, reaching its maximum 2 days later (Day 14), with a more gradual decline instead of the sudden drop in flight performance seen in mated flies. Females receiving their food by flight only ("forced fliers") show a shorter mean life span (which is more pronounced in virgin flies). The maximum of sugar intake shifts forward to an earlier point after eclosion, and the amount is reduced by about 30% over the entire life span. Similarly, the egg production rate reaches lower values and tends to have an earlier maximum in comparison to corresponding groups that had access to sugar on the cage floor. The results further support the hypothesis that Phormia exhibits a strictly programmed aging pattern. Its time course depends on reproduction sufficiency and physical performance. Both factors act to shorten life expectation.