Optimizing the incubation conditions of third-stage larvae of the camel nasal bot Cephalopina titillator (Diptera: Oestridae) for harvesting adult flies.

Background and aim: Understanding the developmental conditions of Cephalopina titillator larvae and their effect on the success of pupation and adult emergence can help prevent and control this disease in camels. Incubating C. titillator larvae in vitro requires optimized conditions that have not been adequately reported in the literature. This study aimed to optimize conditions for harvesting adult flies from third-stage larvae (L3).

Materials and methods: L3 collected from naturally infested camels was washed in sterile saline, weighed, and placed in vials containing local sand. The vials were covered with gauze and incubated at 30°C-36°C with 60%-62% relative humidity in an environmental chamber.

Results: A minimum critical weight of 754 mg per larva was found to be essential for the successful eclosion of the adults, regardless of the sex of the emerged flies. The pupariation period lasted 1-8 days (d) and took 5-13 days. Most incubated L3 formed puparia, but most failed to emerge as adults. The success rate of eclosion was 37.1%. The hatched adults survived for up to 18 days, and the females survived longer (12 d; 6-18) than the males (8.1 d; 3-16).

Conclusions: The higher eclosion success tendency of certain sand types might be influenced by the sand's physical and/or chemical characteristics. The current in vitro conditions resemble those during the hot seasons and are suitable for harvesting viable adults of C. titillator from L3.