The larval stage usually lasts from five to 18 days; the larva then spins a silken cocoon and
pupates. "The pupal stage can be as short as ten days, but the pre-emerged adults might remain in the cocoons for up to six months," says Dr.
macellaria larva to reach stage III is estimated to be two days (under the previously described conditions); at this time, the larva entered into an empty puparium left behind by the previous generation in order to
pupate (Byrd & Butler, 1996).
Because the maggots do not multiply in the wound and must leave the wound to
pupate or they will die, physicians simply flush them out when they have completed their job, usually in about 3 to 4 days.
Underneath the cages, plastic trays with sawdust were placed to collect larvae leaving the caracasses to
pupate. Traps were provided with fresh meat twice a week and every week.
Unfortunately by the time that the caterpillars had reached the fifth instar and were almost ready to
pupate (about four weeks), the author was due to go on leave and the caterpillars had to be released into the wild.
After two weeks, when the larvae are fully grown, they are able to
pupate in the soil.
The fattened young disperse to
pupate in nearby soil and emerge as carrion beetles a couple months later.
Mealworms hatch from their eggs after about six to 14 days, grow and molt as larvae for 60 to 120 days,
pupate for about 10 days, and finally emerge as adult darkling beetles.
They then
pupate, protected by two or more leaves tied together by silk (see photo, p.
After feeding for 4 to 8 days, the larva leaves the wound to
pupate in the soil (6,7).
The caterpillars
pupate by mid-May, and adult butterflies emerge from cocoons in June.
This caterpillar is specific to the host, and it is likely they will re-appear next year, as they will
pupate, hatch and lay eggs next June.