The relationship between oviposition in the blowfly Lucilia cuprina and the presence of water.

Abstract In the presence of volatile oviposition stimulants, tarsal contact with water increases the oviposition rate of the blowfly Lucilia cuprina . The effect is not influenced by the addition of sodium chloride or sucrose and does not depend on the presence of any of the volatile stimulants which may have dissolved in the water. The results indicate that the acceptance-rejection mechanism for oviposition involving the tarsal receptors is distinct from that controlling feeding behaviour and confirm that the blowfly has a specific water sense.