Flesh flies (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) colonising large carcasses in Central Europe.

Krzysztof Szpila,Anna Mądra,Szymon Matuszewski,Mateusz Jarmusz

doi:10.1007/s00436-015-4431-1

Krzysztof Szpila, Anna Mądra + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-015-4431-1

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Abstract

Sarcophagidae are an important element of carrion insect community. Unfortunately, results on larval and adult Sarcophagidae from forensic carrion studies are virtually absent mostly due to the taxonomic problems with species identification of females and larvae. The impact of this taxon on decomposition of large carrion has not been reliably evaluated. During several pig carcass studies in Poland, large body of data on adult and larval Sarcophagidae was collected. We determined (1) assemblages of adult flesh flies visiting pig carrion in various habitats, (2) species of flesh flies which breed in pig carcasses, and (3) temporal distribution of flesh fly larvae during decomposition. Due to species identification of complete material, including larvae, females, and males, it was possible for the first time to reliably answer several questions related to the role of Sarcophagidae in decomposition of large carrion and hence define their forensic importance. Fifteen species of flesh flies were found to visit pig carcasses, with higher diversity and abundance in grasslands as compared to forests. Sex ratio biased towards females was observed only for Sarcophaga argyrostoma, S. caerulescens, S. similis and S. carnaria species group. Gravid females and larvae were collected only in the case of S. argyrostoma, S. caerulescens, S. melanura and S. similis. Sarcophaga caerulescens and S. similis bred regularly in carcasses, while S. argyrostoma was recorded only occasionally. First instar larvae of flesh flies were recorded on carrion earlier or concurrently with first instar larvae of blowflies. Third instar larvae of S. caerulescens were usually observed before the appearance of the third instar blowfly larvae. These results contest the view that flesh flies colonise carcasses later than blowflies. Sarcophaga caerulescens is designated as a good candidate for a broad forensic use in Central European cases.

Highlights

Sarcophagidae is a large taxon represented by more than 2600 species (Pape 1996) with Old World’s domination of a megadiverse genus Sarcophaga Meigen, 1826
The aims of the present article were as follows: (1) to define assemblages of adult flesh flies on large carrion in various habitats, (2) to find out which species of flesh flies breed in large carrion, and (3) to characterise temporal distribution of flesh fly larvae during decomposition
There is a large difference in dominant flesh fly species between urban or rural habitats and semi-natural habitats

Summary

Introduction

Sarcophagidae is a large taxon represented by more than 2600 species (Pape 1996) with Old World’s domination of a megadiverse genus Sarcophaga Meigen, 1826. Flesh flies are usually considered as a taxon of high forensic importance (e.g. Smith 1986; Byrd and Castner 2009). Their participation in carrion insect communities was tested almost exclusively in experiments with small sized carrion Diversity and abundance of flesh flies on large carrion increase towards south of Europe with the highest values in Mediterranean countries (Arnaldos et al 2004; Grassberger and Frank 2004; Matuszewski et al 2008; Prado e Castro et al 2010; Anton et al 2011). Lack of species identification of female specimens may result in misconception on the importance of Sarcophagidae in carrion insect communities

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