High temperature thermal biology of the central New Jersey population of Phormia regina under laboratory conditions

Blow fly growth and development is temperature dependent, with each species having a minimum and maximum temperature threshold for development to occur successfully. In thermal biology two key concepts help shape this are the zone of tolerance (the temperature range where temperature maxima). Rearing experiments of Phormia regina (Meigen) documented the life development of this species up to 40°C, with previous studies determined that adults would expire at a temperature of 44.4°C. The objective of this research was to determine  adult mortality rates at temperatures between 40°C and ~47°C for P. regina under controlled laboratory conditions. Wild flies were collected from baited traps and bred in the lab. Colonies were temperature treated for 24 hours under a 16:8 L:D cycle, with an acclimation period of approximately 1°C/min until the target temperature was reached. Flies were supplied with food/water ad libitum, incubators were equipped with a portable humidifier to control RH.  Preliminary results indicate all adults expire at 47°C, while approximately 80% of P. regina populations expire at 40°C. This study provides a basis for future work including but not limited to determining if oviposition behavior continues or diminishes as the biological critical thermal temperature maxima is reached, and the heat shock protein expression of flies at different temperatures.