Genetic Analysis of Field Trials of Sex-linked Translocation Strains for Genetic Control of the Australian Sheep Blowfly Lucilia cuprina (Wiedemann)

Abstract

The results of progeny tests of males and females captured during two field trials of sex-linked translocation strains for genetic control of L. cuprina are presented. Males released as mature larvae survived to adulthood and mated with field females. However, the levels of genetic death introduced into the population were insufficient to suppress the native population. This was due partly to seasonal ineffectiveness of the release method, and partly to poor performance of the released males. On average, the mating competitiveness of the released males was only one-third that of field males, whereas their field-reared, translocation-bearing sons were fully competitive with native males.