[Syrphidae] experimental enclosures

[Katherine Robinson]

As part of an experiment, I am trying to keep syrphid larvae in
enclosures made of a section of plastic tubing placed end down on a
treated sheet of glass.  I was hoping to use Fluon to stop the larvae
crawling up the tubing and so keep them on the treated surface. 
However, the Fluon has no effect at all.  Does anyone have any
experience of containing larvae on a surface by chemical or physical
means, without the need for artificial ventilation of the enclosure (as
would be required in a glass petri dish)?

Any suggestions will be appreciated.

Katherine Robinson


Postgraduate student
Central Science Laboratory
York
UK