Maggot infestation in immature eggs

[Terrapin Institute-Station USNA]

Terrapin Institute-Station USNA

September 3, 2003 at 3:24 pm #18877

Despite my best efforts, each year I have an incidence of insect infestation on incubating eggs. These are terrapin eggs salvaged from precarious nest sites in the field and moved to artificial sand boxes. The eggs are incubated at ambient temperatures in a screened area. Is there an insecticide which would not harm the hatchlings, which I could apply on the sand or one that I could apply directly to the eggs and hatchlings? Infestation does not occur in all boxes, this year only five eggs so far and those eggs appear to have tiny fissures in the shell through which the insect invaded. Additional data: Contrary to concerns from other researchers, these salvage measures apparently do not result in a disproportionate sex ratio. Last year the ratio was nearly 50-50. We are able to sex the terrapins which are “head-started” since they reach a size of 3 inches while in captivity for eight months. This year we compared natural nests on a nearby beach protected under wire cages with the artificial nests in the shaded nearby garage. My intern has video-recorded, perhaps the first ever, a hatchling emerging from it’s natural nest. No word yet on where they go, but we have found groups of hatchlings/yearlings up in small tidal marsh creek areas. Two natural nests, side by side on the beach, deposited the same day, emerged a week apart. Just about all artificial nests of the same time period hatched a week later. Sex ratios will be reported in April 2004. Other data is being recorded. Don’t forget to watch the U of Maryland game this Saturday or at least the half time show – an advertisement features a special terp. Stay tuned. Thanks for any suggestions on the bug problems. mw

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