Use of polyester pad as a new physical substrate for rearing Cochliomyia hominivorax coquerel (Diptera: Calliphoridae) larvae.

Polyester pad was utilized as solid support for rearing Cochliomyia hominivorax Coquerel larvae in liquid diet and compared with the ground meat diet. There were no significant differences in the mean third instar larvae and pupal weights, number of pupae, emergence and rearing efficiency. The tests were conducted through four consecutive generations, presenting no detectable effect in any of the life history parameters. We propose that the polyester pad can be used as solid support for rearing C. hominivorax larvae in liquid diets and can be reutilized reducing the costs of mass rearing.