The Lethal Lines of the House Fly

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Abstract
Descriptions are given of 2 semi-lethal lines of the house-fly (Musca domestica) that have been bred in pure cultures. These lines are recognized by the strange forms of the puparia. One line, called the Lethal Line, was purified by the 4th generation and all individuals have since bred true to type into the F27 generation. A 2d, called the Flat Line, was purified by the 10th generation and the puparia have been true to type to the F16 generation. Puparia of the Lethal Line are much elongated and have an open pore anteriorly. This pore subjects the insects to cannibalistic feeding and to attack by enemies. Because of shape of the puparia, flies find it difficult to emerge. In the F1, 29.6% emerged. Subsequently from 12.2 to 60.8% have emerged. In reciprocal crosses with 3 normal lines, no increase in lethals occurred in the F1, about 25% lethals were found in the F2, and decreasing numbers in successive generations. The puparia of the Flat Line are flattened, rectangular, with distinct segments. Emergence was at the rate of about 80% in the first 10 generations, but more recently it has fallen to about 63%, and from the most typical puparia only about 40% have emerged.

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