Lucilia Caesar Research Articles

제주도 한라산 일대 파리류의 계절적인 발생소장 및 수직분포

This study focuses on the fauna, seasonal prevalence and altitudinal distribution of the flies from March to November, 2008 in Mt. Hallasan, Jejudo Island, Korea. The fauna of flies was 39 species belonging to 5 Families which consist of 12 Calliphoridae, 19 Muscidae, 5 Sarcophagidae, 1 Dryomyzidae 1, Scathophagidae and 1 Anthomyiidae. The total number of flies collected was 21,605 with sex ratio of 57.98% in Mt. Halla. The ratio is higher than that of the residential area and other mountain survey sites. The average number of per trap individuals collected on the trapping day is 267, which is similar with the average of Mts. Jiryong, Juwang, Palgong and Gumo. The five dominant species showed a distinctive seasonal prevalence of 92.6% of the total flies: Chrysomyia pinguis (34.2%), Calliphora lata (25.3%), Hydrotaea dentipes(23.1%), Fannia scalaris (5.1%), and Lucilia caesar (4.9%). The seasonal prevalence of the flies was from the beginning of March to the end of November, and the highest peak time of the whole flies, males and females were different respectively. In the similarity index of the flies collected in different altitude, that of between 1,000 meters and 1,500 meters was the highest among the indices of 500 meters and above 1,000 meters. The index at each altitude was above 80% because of the same area. The diversity index of fly species was between 0.00 and 0.88 through altitudinal traps monthly. The highest index in Trap 1 was 0.88 in October, in Trap 2, 0.82 in July and in Trap 3, 0.63 in July. The diversity above 1,000 meters was most various in July. The five dominant species of C. pinguis, C. lata, H dentipes, F. scalaris, and L. caesar showed distinctive seasonal prevalence, relative abundance and altitudinal distribution respectively.

A preliminary investigation of insect succession on carrion in Calabria (southern Italy)

AbstractWe present data from the first study of successional patterns of insect fauna in Calabria (southern Italy). The aim was to identify and qualitatively assess the major taxa of forensic importance in this region. Studies were conducted in autumn-winter 2006, summer 2007 and winter 2008 in the Botanical Garden, University of Calabria. Over 50 taxa were collected and identified. The most abundant fly species were Lucilia caesar (Linnaeus, 1758), L. sericata (Meigen, 1826), Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann, 1819), Calliphora vicina Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830, C. vomitoria (Linnaeus, 1758), Sarcophaga spp., Amobia sp ., Musca domestica Linnaeus, 1758, and Muscina stabulans ((Fallén). The successional patterns, relative abundance of adult sarcosaprophagous insects, carcass decay, diversity and seasonality of species are described and the taxa useful for estimating the post-mortem interval (PMI) are identified. The data of this study could be very useful for further forensic investigations in southern Italy.

The availability of 16SrDNA gene for identifying forensically important blowflies in China

Different species of sarcosaphagous insects are found on human corpses at different phases after death, which is important for the estimation of postmortem interval (PMI) and other questions of forensic relevance. Calliphoridae are one of the earliest visitors to infest a corpse and lay their eggs, and develop maggots. Following the conventional method by morphology, a molecular method is a necessary assistance of species identification. This study has investigated the applicability of sequencing of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) based on a 250 base pair region of the gene for 16S rDNA to identify the forensically important species of Calliphoridae which were collected from 10 sites distributed at 9 provinces in China, including 25 specimens (8 species) in 3 genera of Calliphoridae family, including some specimens of Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius), Chrysomya rufifacies (Macquart), Calliphora vicina (Robineau-Desvoidy), Lucilia caesar (Linnaeus), Lucilia porphyrina (Walker), Lucilia sericate (Meigen), Lucilia bazini (Seguy), Lucilia illustris (Meigen). The analysis of 16S rDNA sequences revealed abundant phylogenetically informative nucleotide substitutions that could identify Calliphoridae to species group. It renders the reliable identification of important sarcosaphagous insects in China, particularly in case of murder or suspicious death by providing an estimate of post-mortem interval (PMI) and scene of crime.

How many neuroblasts build mushroom bodies in Lucilia caesar L. and Musca domestica L. (Diptera, Brachycera Cyclorrhapha)?

The green-bottle fly Lucilia caesar and the housefly Musca domestica differ greatly in the number of neuroblasts producing mushroom bodies. Four neuroblasts were found in each mushroom body of Lucilia pupae, and its calyx has a quadruple structure. In the housefly, the number of mushroom body neuroblasts rises up 20 in each brain hemisphere. This leads to a more complicated calyx structure. The neuroblast number observed in Lucilia and Musca is compared with that found in other Diptera.

Molecular identification of forensically important blowfly species (Diptera: Calliphoridae) from Germany

Forensic entomology applies knowledge about the behaviour and ecology of insects associated to corpses to homicide investigations. It is possible to calculate a minimum post-mortem interval by determining the age of the oldest blowfly larvae feeding on a corpse. The growth rate of the larvae is highly dependent on temperature and also varies between the different blowfly species infesting a corpse. It is, thus, crucial to correctly identify the species collected from a crime scene. To increase the quality of species identification, molecular methods were applied to 53 individuals of six different species sampled in Bonn, Germany: Calliphora vicina, Calliphora vomitoria, Lucilia caesar, Lucilia sericata, Lucilia illustris, and Protophormia terraenovae. We extracted DNA and checked a 229 bp sequence within the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I. The sequences of the local flies were aligned to published data of specimens from other countries. We also studied the practical value of the analysed DNA region for their differentiation. All species were matched correctly by a Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) search apart from L. caesar and L. illustris. Although molecular methods are very useful-especially if it is necessary to identify small fragments of insect material or very young larvae-we propose to use it only in addition to the conventional methods.

Use of Cytochrome c Oxidase Subunit I (COI) Nucleotide Sequences for Identification of the Korean Luciliinae Fly Species (Diptera: Calliphoridae) in Forensic Investigations

Blowflies, especially species belonging to the subfamily Luciliinae, are the first insects to lay eggs on corpses in Korea. Fast and accurate species identification has been a key task for forensic entomologists. Because conventional morphologic identification methods have many limitations with respect to forensic practice, molecular methods have been proposed to identify fly species of forensic importance. To this end, the authors amplified and sequenced the full length of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene of the Luciliinae fly species collected in Korea. The results showed the COI sequences are instrumental in identifying Luciliinae fly species. However, when compared with previously reported data, considerable inconsistencies were noted. Hemipyrellia ligurriens data in this study differed significantly from two of the five pre-existing data. Two closely related species, Lucilia illustris and Lucilia caesar, showed an overlap of COI haplotypes due to four European sequences. The results suggest that more individuals from various geographic regions and additive nuclear DNA markers should be analyzed, and morphologic identification keys must be reconfirmed to overcome these inconsistencies.

An initial study of insect succession and carrion decomposition in various forest habitats of Central Europe

At the end of summer and beginning of fall 2005 insect succession and pig carrion decomposition were studied in pine-oak forest, hornbeam-oak forest, and alder forest in Western Poland (Central Europe). Five stages of decomposition were recognized: fresh stage, bloated stage, active decay stage, advanced decay stage, and remains stage. The highest rate of decomposition was observed in the alder forest and the lowest in the pine-oak forest. A similar composition of carrion entomofauna was found in each forest. Numerous adults of Lucilia caesar, Phormia regina and Calliphora vomitoria (Calliphoridae), Hydrotaea spp. (Muscidae), Stearibia nigriceps and Parapiophila vulgaris (Piophilidae), Necrodes littoralis and Thanatophilus rugosus (Silphidae), Creophilus maxillosus, Omalium rivulare, Oxypoda acuminata and Philonthus spp. (Staphylinidae) as well as larvae of L. caesar, P. regina, C. vomitoria, Fannidae (Diptera) and N. littoralis, C. maxillosus, Philonthus (Coleoptera) were collected. There were no differences between forests in the sequence of insect occurrence on carrion. However, differences between forests in occurrence time and activity period of some taxa were found. Implications of these results for forensic entomology are discussed.

경남 거창군 수승대 일대의 파리류와 계절적인 발생 소장

The total number of flies collected was 4,864 with sex ratio of 32.8% from Suseungdae area, Geochang-gun, Gyeongnam, Korea. The fauna of fly was 35 species consisting of 13 Calliphoridae, 12 Muscidae, 8 Sarcophagidae, 1 Dryomyzidae and 1 Anthomyiidae. The number of genus and species of Calliphoridae and Muscidae of Suseungdae area were similarly found in the mountain and residential areas, however, those of Sarcophagidae was similar with that of residential area. Calliphoridae was the most dominant family at the survey sites with 60.4% of the total collected flies, and followed Muscidae 33.3% and Sarcophagidae 6.2%. The dominant species were constituted of 83.6% of the total flies and the order of collected flies was Chrysomyia pinguis (42.2%), Limnophora sp. (10.8%), Muscina angustifrons (8.6%), Calliphora lata (8.1%), Fannia scalaris (5.5%), Lucilia caesar (3.9%), and Boettcherisca peregrina (4.2%). The seasonal prevalence of flies was from the middle of March to the end of November, and the peak time of appearance was the middle of June, middle of September and middle of October. The highest peak of prevalence was the middle of October. The similarity index of the flies was above 80%, compared to Mt. Geonheung and landfill in Geochang-gun. The number of fly species was more affected by the mean air temperature. In the comparison of the seasonal prevalence and relative abundance of 7 predominant species among 35 species, each species was found to exhibit its specific characteristics and showed the pattern of species.

Influxed Insects as Vectors for Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli in Danish Broiler Houses

The vector potential of flies (Diptera: Brachycera) for spread of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli on 5 Danish broiler farms was evaluated in a longitudinal field study from April to November 2004. First, the prevalence of C. jejuni- and C. coli-positive flies was determined in 2,816 flies captured from farm surroundings. Each individual fly was macerated, preenriched in Bolton broth for 24 h at 42°C, streaked onto modified Campylobater blood-free selective agar and incubated under microaerobic conditions for 48 h at 42°C. Second, the influx of insects to broiler houses was estimated by trapping of insects (n = 5,936) in ventilation vents. In total, 31 flies (28 of which were of the Muscidae family) caught in farm surroundings were Campylobacter spp.-positive (C. jejuni, n = 7; C. coli, n = 23; other Campylobacter spp., n = 1). Musca domestica (L) (house fly) was more frequently (P < 0.0376) positive than other fly species collected. Other positive fly species were Stomoxys calcitrans (L) (stable fly; n = 4), Muscina stabulans (Fallén) (false stable fly; n = 1), Mesembrina meridiana (L) (noon fly; n = 1) and Hydrotaea sp. (black dump fly; n = 1). One Lucilia caesar (L) (green bottle fly) of the Calliphoridae family and 2 flies of unidentified species were also positive. The prevalence of Campylobacter spp.-positive flies varied from 0.0 in April to a peak of 16.3% in July and decreasing to 2.0% in October on a farm with pig production. On 4 broiler farms without other livestock, the prevalence was constantly below 1.0%. The average influx of insects per broiler rotation was estimated to be 30,728 ± 2,443 SE (range 2,233 to 180,300), of which 21.4% were flies. The influx of insects correlated with the flow (m3/h) of ventilation air (P < 0.0078) and with the outdoor temperature (P < 0.0032). We conclude that the influx of large numbers of flies to broiler houses constitutes a considerable risk for infection of broilers with C. jejuni and C. coli.

Terminal contact elements of insect attachment devices studied by transmission X-ray microscopy

For the first time, the terminal elements (spatulae) of setal (hairy) attachment devices of the beetle Gastrophysa viridula (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae) and the fly Lucilia caesar (Diptera, Calliphoridae) were studied using transmission X-ray microscopy (TXM) with a lateral resolution of about 30 nm. Since images are taken under ambient conditions, we demonstrate here that this method can be applied to study the contact behaviour of biological systems, including animal tenent setae, in a fresh state. We observed that the attached spatulae show a viscoelastic behavior increasing the contact area and providing improved adaptability to the local topography of the surface. The technique can be extended to TXM tomography, which would provide three-dimensional information and a deeper insight into the details of insect attachment structures.

Use of Lucilia species for forensic investigations in Southern Europe

The aim of this study was to highlight the importance of evaluating entomological evidence in forensic investigations on a regional scale. To evaluate climatic, geographical and environmental influences on the selection of carrion-breeding fauna in Northern Italy and consequently on inferred forensic data (post-mortem intervals and post-mortem transfer), we present details of six indoor–outdoor cases. Results show that the most abundant species was Lucilia sericata, together with other fly species of entomo-forensic interest, belonging to the Calliphoridae and Sarcophagidae families. In particular, for the first time in Italy, we report finding Phormia regina, Lucilia ampullacea, Lucilia caesar and Sarcophaga ( Pandelleana) protuberans on fresh cadavers. The active period of L. sericata in Northern Italy, according to previous findings in Southern Europe, revealing clearcut differences with phenologies in Northern Europe, has important consequences in estimating the period (season, months) of death in cases of long post-mortem intervals (several months or years) if empty puparia of this fly are found. According to our results, the distribution of L. sericata in areas with urban sprawl, like Northern Italian regions, cannot be used to evaluate post-mortem transfer from an urban area to a rural one.

Isolation and characterization of a novel uronic acid-containing acidic glycosphingolipid from the ascidian Halocynthia roretzi

A novel uronic acid-containing glycosphingolipid (UGL-1) was isolated from the ascidian Halocynthia roretzi. UGL-1 was prepared from chloroform-methanol extracts and purified by the use of successive column chromatography on DEAE-Sephadex, Florisil, and Iatrobeads. Chemical structural analysis was performed using methylation analysis, gas chromatography, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, matrix-assisted laser-desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry, and 1H-NMR spectra. The chemical structure of UGL-1 was determined to be a glucuronic acid-containing glycosphingolipid, Galbeta1-4(Fucalpha1-3)GlcAbeta1-1Cer. The ceramide component was composed of C16:0 and C18:0 acids and C16-, C17-, and C18-phytosphingosines as major components.

Responses of Tabanidae (Diptera) to canopy traps baited with 4-methylphenol, 3-isopropylphenol, and naphthalene

The attraction of female tabanids to unbaited and single-baited canopy traps using 4-methylphenol, 3-isopropylphenol, and naphthalene was studied in three forest localities in eastern Croatia. Tabanids were collected in a significantly higher number in traps baited with these chemicals compared to unbaited control traps. The number of females of Tabanus bromius, Tabanus sudeticus, Tabanus tergestinus, Hybomitra ciureai, Haematopota pluvialis, and Tabanus maculicornis collected from 4-methylphenol baited canopy traps and traps baited with other attractants differed significantly. A total of 89.0% of tabanids collected belonged to these six species. The response of the other species to used chemicals was not analyzed because of small sample sizes. Moreover, the results with 3-isopropylphenol and naphthalene are very similar and not significant for some tabanids. Tabanus bromius was the most abundant species with 48.4% in the sample collected by canopy traps. Finally, the 4-methylphenol baited canopy traps collected 16 times more tabanids than unbaited traps, while 3-isopropylphenol and naphthalene baited traps collected 3.5 and 2 times as many tabanids, respectively, than unbaited traps. Also, 4-methylphenol appeared to be a very effective attractant for Lucilia caesar (Calliphoridae), Sarcophaga carnaria (Sarcophagidae), and Musca domestica (Muscidae).

Carriage of Bacteria by Proboscises, Legs, and Feces of Two Species of Flies in Street Food Vending Sites in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

Flies are widely recognized as potential reservoirs and vectors of bacteria. In the present study, an attempt was made to assess meat-poultry and local fruit juice processing and vending sites for their hygienic status and the presence of houseflies, Musca domestica, and blow flies, Lucilia caesar, for bacterial carriage. The hygienic status results revealed the presence of waste and sewage nearby which provided food and harborage for flies. On the two sites, the M. domestica population was dominant ranging from 76.48 to 91.30%, while the L. caesar population rate ranged from 8.70 to 23.52%. Using specific growth media for bacteria and biochemical tests, bacterial carriage of pooled fly proboscises, legs, and feces were assessed. For both flies, 66.67 to 100% of feces pools were positive for Shigella, Salmonella, and streptococci, while 35.41 to 82.05% of leg and proboscis pools were positive for the same bacteria. In assessment, 0 to 2.56% of feces pools and 8.33 to 28.20% of leg and proboscis pools were staphylococci positive. Coliforms were detected in 100% of pooled organs, while 10 × 103 to 1.1 × 103 CFU with predominance of coliforms, streptococci, and Shigella were counted on legs and feces of houseflies captured on the two vending sites. Blow flies from the same vending site had an organ bacterial load in the range of 3 × 102 to 2.7 × 103 CFU per organ. Coliforms, Shigella, and streptococci were present in high numbers. Staphylococci was noticed in low numbers in all parts tested of both flies. Captured housefly and blow fly bacteria-releasing frequency through feces was estimated at 5 to 35 CFU per feces sample for Salmonella and 85 to 495 CFU per feces sample for Shigella.

Synthetic studies on glycosphingolipids from the Protostomia phyla: syntheses of arthro-series glycosphingolipids

Glycosphingolipids isolated from larvae of the green-bottle fly, Lucilia caesar, have quite unique structures containing GlcNAcβ-(1→3)-Man and GalNAcβ-(1→4)-GlcNAcβ-(1→3)-Man. We have synthesized two glycosphingolipids, β- d-GlcNAc p-(1→3)-β- d-Man p-(1→4)-β- d-Glc p-(1→1)-Cer and β- d-GalNAc p-(1→4)-β- d-GlcNAc p-(1→3)-β- d-Man p-(1→4)-β- d-Glc p-(1→1)-Cer. A key reaction in the synthetic sequence is the application of the intramolecular aglycon delivery (IAD) approach for the synthesis of the β-mannopyranosidic linkages.

Diptera as vectors of mycobacterial infections in cattle and pigs

Mycobacteria were isolated from 14 (4.5%) of 314 samples, containing 7791 adult Diptera, which were collected in the Czech Republic and Slovakia in 1997-2000. These flies were collected from three cattle herds with paratuberculosis, two pig herds with mycobacterial infections and one farm that kept both cattle and pigs and that did not have problems of mycobacterial infections. Mycobacterium intracellulare was isolated from Eristalis tenax Linnaeus (Diptera: Syrphidae) captured from a pig herd. Mycobacterium avium ssp. avium (serotype 8) was isolated from flies of the genera Drosophila Fallen (Diptera: Drosophilidae) and Musca Linnaeus (Diptera: Muscidae) originating from a pig herd. Mycobacterium spp. were isolated from Musca spp. and Mycobacterium fortuitum was isolated from dung flies of the genus Scatophaga Meigen (Diptera: Scatophagidae), Musca spp. and Stomoxys calcitrans Linnaeus (Diptera: Muscidae) captured in the same herd. Mycobacterium scrofulaceum was isolated from S. calcitrans from the farm with both cattle and pigs. Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis was isolated from Scatophaga spp. collected from pastures grazed by one of the cattle herds and from Calliphora vicina Robineau-Desvoidy (Diptera: Calliphoridae) and Lucilia caesar Linnaeus (Diptera: Calliphoridae) captured in a slaughterhouse, where cattle infected with paratuberculosis were slaughtered. Mycobacterium phlei was isolated from flies of the genus Lucilia captured at a waste bin. These data indicate that mycobacteria may be spread by adult flies that have been in contact with material contaminated with these pathogens.

Partial Sequencing of the Cytochrome Oxydase b Subunit Gene I: A Tool for the Identification of European Species of Blow Flies for Postmortem Interval Estimation

The identification of insects found on a dead body can lead to the estimation of the time of death (postmortem interval). We report an updated version of an established method based on sequence analysis of PCR products from a region of the cytochrome b oxidase subunit I mitochondrial gene of different members of the family Calliphoridae, by sequencing six European species: Lucilia sericata (Meigen), Lucilia caesar (Linné), Lucilia illustris (Meigen), Calliphora vicina (Robineau-Desvody), Calliphora vomitoria (Linné), Protophormia terraenovae (Robineau-Desvody) and one Guianese species: Cochliomyia macellaria (Fabricius). This technique provided clear results when applied to the larvae and we also report the identification of empty puparia.

Seasonal and spatial changes in blowfly production from small and large carcasses at Durham in lowland northeast England.

Colonization by blowflies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) of mouse carcasses exposed in open agricultural land near Durham (54 45'N) changed from early spring monopolization by Calliphora vicina R.-D. to a summer pattern of multiple species exploitation by this species together with Lucilia caesar L., L. illustris Mg., L. silvarum Mg., L. sericata Mg. and L. richardsi Collin. In a garden at the edge of Durham, mouse carcasses were dominated by C. vicina from spring to autumn. Difference in mouse colonization between the agricultural and garden sites seemed to reflect differences in the blowfly species present, as measured by baited trap catches at the sites. In sets of C. vicina reared from mice under conditions of competition for larval food, it was found that resulting females were significantly larger than males, size being measured as mean wing length. Blowfly production from three sheep carcasses exposed successively at the agricultural site was dominated by C. vomitoria L. and L. caesar, but also produced other Lucilia species in small numbers, including L. sericata. These L. sericata females from sheep that had died from causes other than myiasis included full-sized specimens, in contrast to those produced from mouse carcasses that were all undersized individuals. As L. sericata females trapped on sheep pastures are predominantly full-sized, this suggests that large carcasses may, in part, be a source of the L. sericata population that attacks sheep as a myiasis agent. The nature of large carcasses as possible sources of L. sericata in lowland Britain is discussed.

Synthesis of Cotinine and Cotinine N-oxide: Evaluation of their Interaction with Nicotine in the Insecticidal Activity

To evaluate the nature of nicotine interaction with its derivatives, cotinine and N-oxide cotinine were synthesized. In both Lucilia caesar (L. c.) and Calliphora vomitoria (C. v.) flies, nicotine is found more insecticidal than all its derivatives studied. The relative insecticidal activity, determined by the method of Wadley, of nornicotine is ≤ 73%, that of cotinine ≤ 3% and that of cotinine N-oxide ≤ 0.4%. The nature of nicotine interactions with its derivatives was studied by Wadley and Steel and Peckham methods. The two methods indicate that nicotine and nornicotine act at common levels, while nicotine and cotinine act at distinct levels. We concluded that nicotine oxidization is an efficient natural mechanism to nicotine detoxification and that nicotine and cotinine act at distinct molecular levels.

Investigations of an association between the stinkhorn fungus and badger setts

Fruiting bodies of the stinkhorn fungus (Phallus impudicus) were commonly found near badger setts, clustered in the zone 24–39 m from sett entrances. The odour from the spore-covered gleba of the fruiting body attracted several species of fly, principally Polietes lardaria, Phaonia subventa, Calliphora vomitoria, Calliphora vicina, Lucilia caesar and Lucilia sericata. The latter four, all blowflies, were also among the dominant species attracted to and reared from, badger carcases. The number of female flies at stinkhorns was significantly higher than that of males. Behavioural studies showed that female, but not male Calliphora vomitoria were attracted to the smell of the stinkhorn gleba. Flies feeding on the spore-laden mucilage on the gleba defaecated more rapidly than when feeding on dung or sucrose, thereby rapidly depositing large numbers of spores. The implications of these findings are discussed in terms of a hypothetical stinkhorn-badger association, and of the overall ecology of badgers.