Effects of Rearing Temperature and Larval Density on Longevity, Size, and Fecundity in the Biting Gnat Culicoides variipennis1, 2

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Abstract
The effects of rearing temperature and larval density on longevity (mean survival time, 50% survival time, and mean maximal survival time), size (dry weight and wing length), and fecundity (number of eggs oviposited) were studied in female Culicoides variipennis (Coquillett). Dry weight and wing length were inversely proportional to both larval density (number of larvae per ml of rearing medium) and to rearing temperature. These relationships were described by a 1st and 2nd degree polynomial regression equation (P P <0.01). Confidence intervals at the 95% level were calculated for predicting dry weight from wing length. Studies of the longevity and fecundity of female flies of different sizes showed that larger flies were advantageous for research and for colony production because they lived longer and produced more eggs than did smaller flies.