First Record of Sarcophagidae (Diptera) Species in Seasonally Dry Tropical Forests (Caatinga), with Notes on Their Attractiveness to Decomposing Substrates1

Abstract

Sarcophagidae or flesh flies are a highly diverse family of Diptera whose geographical distribution in the Neotropics is still poorly understood. We performed a two-year survey of flesh flies in fragments of Seasonally Dry Tropical Forests (SDTF) in Northeastern Brazil (Caatinga) using three types of substrate as baits: bovine spleen, fish and feces. Thirty-one species are registered, of which 13 are reported for the first time in SDTF. The highest diversity and abundance of flesh flies was associated with spleen. A strong female bias was observed in all samples. We discuss the medical, veterinary and forensic relevance and aspects of the synanthropy of the species registered for the first time in the Caatinga.