Responsiveness of Phormia regina to saline

Studies by Nelson (1971), Hirsch and McCauley (1977), and McGuire and Hirsch (1977) with the blow fly, Phormia regina, have reported evidence for conditioning. With respect to relative responsiveness to water or saline in the first position of the serial compound stimulus arrangement used, however, the evidence was inconsistent. These experiments show the effect on such responsiveness of the (a) method of mounting and (b) deprivation and satiation procedures. It is also possible that P. regina actively control internal ion concentration by saline intake.