Food preferences of adult male and female Calliphora vicina (Diptera: Calliphoridae)

Male and female adults of Calliphora vicina (Robineau-Desvoidy) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) were exposed to different food sources and their food preferences were assessed. Each fly was colour-marked on their thorax; 20 flies were released at the same time in an arena where they were exposed to different food sources. The flies were filmed for six hours, and their preference was assessed based on the number of visits to a source and on the duration of each visit. This was calculated by multiplying the number of visits to a food source times the duration for each visit (NxL values). Significant differences were observed between males and females in their preferences of proteins versus carbohydrates; females preferred carbohydrate-rich foods, while males preferred protein-rich foods. These data could be useful for a better understanding of the nutritional ecology of blow flies and to better interpret entomological evidence at crime scenes where multiple potential food sources are present.