A description of the larval development of Wohlfahrtia magnifica (Schiner, 1862) is given. An interpretation of the morphological development correlated with functional and adaptive aspects of myiasis-causing flies is also included. A detailed analysis of morphological changes that occurred in W. magnifica larvae during postembryonic development is carried out. These changes happen in 2 larval interinstars, I-II and II-III, in which several structures such as anterior and posterior peritremes and cephalopharyngeal skeleton play an important role. The possible functions of these structures are considered. We also describe the first instar in W. magnifica to differentiate it from that belonging to Sarcophaga species, paying special attention to disposition of the cephalopharyngeal skeleton, anterior peritremes, and spinulation on the last 3 segments. Several structures, not described previously in Sarcophagidae, were observed: modified spines of the buccal and peritremal cavities, peritremal tubercles, and modified spines on the ventral surface. Changes occurring in these structures during larval development are described. Their probable role in the taxonomy of the genus Wohlfahrtia and their application to Nearctic species belonging to this genus, Wohlfahrtia vigil and Wohlfahrtia opaca, are also discussed.

During 1987 and the first months of 1988, several carnivores were surveyed for ecological studies by means of radio-tracking techniques and in order to identify the ischnoceran species parasitising these animals. The hosts belonged to the following species: Felis pardina, Felis silvestris, Herpestes ichneumon, Genetta genetta, Vulpes vulpes and Meles meles. While no lice were found on the two first species, the remaining ones were parasitised by Felicola (Felicola) inaequalis, Lorisicola (Paradoxuroecus) genettae n. comb., Felicola (Suricatoecus) vulpis and Trichodectes (Trichodectes) melis, respectively. Descriptions of these species are included.

After studying some material belonging to genus Aegypoecus Clay & Meinertzhagen, 1939 captured on the head and neck of a European black vulture Aegypius monachus, the authors have identified these specimens as Aegypoecus brevicollis (Burmeister, 1838). Morphobiometric data on adults (both males and females) are given, and the designation of a neotype for this species is proposed.

Gonotrophic and embryonic development of Wohlfahrtia magnifica were studied on pupae and adults reared in the laboratory. Gonotrophic development in screwworm begins 8 days after pupation in yellow eye pharate adults. The adult female emerges with its oocytes at stage 3 and requires only 2 days for complete oogenesis and 5 days for complete embryogenesis. Mating occurs 2-5 days after adult emergence, starting the embryonic development. Each female produces an average of 76.8 active larvae which can produce a traumatic lesion in their hosts. When food sources were regularly supplied synchronization of gonotrophic stages can be observed. These stages together with the embryonic ones are described.