Predicting the Geographic Distribution ofLucilia sericataandLucilia cuprina(Diptera: Calliphoridae) in South Africa

K.A Williams,C.S Richards,M.H Villet

doi:10.5733/afin.055.0109

Abstract

Lucilia sericata (Meigen, 1826) and Lucilia cuprina (Wiedemann, 1830) (Diptera: Calliphoridae: Luciliinae) have medical, veterinary and forensic importance. Knowing their distribution in South Africa would allow more effective management and utilisation of these flies. Their predicted geographic distributions in South Africa were modelled using maximum entropy analysis of selected climatic variables. The most important environmental variables in modelling the distributions were the magnitude of monthly rainfall and the magnitude of the monthly maximum temperature for L. sericata and the seasonal variation in monthly mean humidity and magnitude of monthly rainfall for L. cuprina. A clear geographical bias was shown in museum records and supports the need for focused surveys. There was no correlation between the predicted distribution of L. cuprina and sheep farming in South Africa, nor between the predicted distribution of L. sericata and human population density. Although their patterns of occurrence differed, both species are widely distributed in South Africa and therefore one cannot identify these flies by locality alone — morphological or molecular identification is necessary.

Highlights

Lucilia sericata0HLJHQLVDFRVPRSROLWDQJUHHQERWWOHEORZÀ\WKDWRULJLQDWHV from Europe and which is used in maggot debridement therapy (MDT) – the use of maggots to clean necrotic wounds on living human beings (Sherman et al 2000; Wolff & Hansson 2005; Williams et al 2008; Altincicek & Vilcinskas 2009; Paul et al 2009; Tantawi et al 2010)
We present models of predicted geographic distributions for L. sericata and L. cuprina in South Africa and discuss the environmental variables highlighted by these models
Lucilia cuprina has mainly a central and eastern predicted distribution, but it includes the northern parts of South Africa

Summary

Introduction

Lucilia sericata0HLJHQLVDFRVPRSROLWDQJUHHQERWWOHEORZÀ\WKDWRULJLQDWHV from Europe and which is used in maggot debridement therapy (MDT) – the use of maggots to clean necrotic wounds on living human beings (Sherman et al 2000; Wolff & Hansson 2005; Williams et al 2008; Altincicek & Vilcinskas 2009; Paul et al 2009; Tantawi et al 2010). Lucilia cuprina (Wiedemann, 1830), its sister species, is indigenous to Africa and Asia It is a huge problem in sheep strike (Hepburn 1943; Ullyett, 1945; Vogt & Woodburn 1979; Heath & Bishop 2006), has been successfully used in MDT (Paul et al 2009; Tantawi et al 2010), and is useful in forensic investigations (Louw & van der Linde 1993; Day & Wallman 2006). It is thought that in South Africa, this species occurs primarily in rural environments and seldom near human habitation (Meskin 1986; Braack & de Vos 1987). Both species have the potential to spread disease because they breed in decaying and rotting organic matter (Zumpt & Patterson 1952)

Methods

Results

Conclusion