The immune response of larvae and pupae of Calliphora vicina (Diptera: Calliphoridae), upon administered insult with Escherichia coli.

Adult blowflies, Calliphora vicina Robineau-Desvoidy, are exposed to bacteria-laden decay as adults and larvae. They are protected from infections in such habitats by a family of lytic proteins called Cecropins. In this study, we explore the relationshipbetween the developmental stages of the blowfly and the strength of the immune response when insulted by an endogenous pathogen, Echerichia coli.