Lucilia Eximia Research Articles

Intraguild predation influences oviposition behavior of blow flies (Diptera: Calliphoridae).

The objective of the present study was to determine whether blow flies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) are able to identify larvae of an intraguild predator species in the substrate and avoid laying eggs there. Blow flies oviposited in traps with different treatments: substrate only and substrate with larvae of Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann, 1819), Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius, 1794), or Chrysomya putoria (Wiedemann, 1830). Ch. megacephala, Ch. putoria, and Lucilia eximia (Wiedemann, 1819) avoided laying eggs in the trap containing Ch. albiceps larvae. Cochliomyia macellaria (Fabricius, 1775) did not oviposit differently in each substrate but had overall low abundance. The prevalence of species on corpses may be influenced by the ability of the species to detect the presence of other species, mainly predators. In this sense, intraguild predation may result in misinterpretations of a crime scene and should be considered when assessing the minimum postmortem interval.

Preliminary study of insects associated to indoor body decay in Colombia

Preliminary study of insects associated to indoor body decay in Colombia. This is the first report studying insects associated to indoor body decay process of a white pig (Sus scrofa) (Artiodactyla, Suidae) in a controlled indoor environment in an urban area of Florencia city, Amazonia Piedmont, Colombia. For a period of 54 days, 9,220 individuals (immature and adults), distributed in 3 orders, 5 families, 10 genera, and 10 species were collected using entomological nets and tweezers. Five decaying stages are described (fresh, bloated, active decay, advanced decay and remains). During the fresh stage we recorded Cochliomyia macellaria (Fabricius, 1775), Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann, 1819), Ophyra aenescens (Wiedemann, 1830), Oxysarcodexia sp., Lepidodexia sp. and Lasiophanes sp.; during the bloating stage C. macellaria, C. albiceps, Lucilia eximia (Wiedemann, 1819), Hemilucillia semidiaphana (Rondani, 1850), Musca domestica Linnaeus, 1758, O. aenescens, Oxysarcodexia sp., Lepidodexia sp., Dermestes maculatus De Geer, 1774 and Lasiphanes sp.; during the active decay C. macellaria, C. albiceps, L. eximia, M. domestica, O. aenescens, Lepidodexia sp. D. maculatus and Lasiophanes sp.; during the advanced decay C. macellaria, C. albiceps, M. domestica, Lepidodexia sp. and Lasiophanes sp.; and during the remains stage C. albiceps, D. maculatus and Lasiophanes sp. The insects were sorted out in 3 ecological categories; necrophagous, predators and parasites and sarco-sapropha- gous. According to Chao and Jack estimators, total richness was observed on day 20, with 100% of the expected species.

First Record of Six Calliphoridae (Diptera) Species in a Seasonally Dry Tropical Forest in Brazil: Evidence for the Establishment of Invasive Species

As part of a survey on necrophagous Diptera species in a fragment of seasonally dry tropical forest in Brazil, six species of Calliphoridae are reported here for the first time in the caatinga, a biome exclusive to Brazil. Three species native to the Neotropical region (Cochliomyia macellaria, Chloroprocta idioidea, Lucilia eximia) and 3 exotic species (Chrysomya albiceps, C. putoria and C. megacephala) are reported to occur simultaneously associated with pig carcasses in the semiarid region of Brazil. The invasive potential of Chrysomya species is likely to produce deleterious effects on native blow fly populations in the near future.

Urban blow flies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) in four cities of the Colombian Caribbean coast

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the species composition of the family Calliphoridae from samples collected in four different cities in the Colombian Caribbean coast. Van Someren-Rydon traps were used baited with human faeces, rotten fish and fermented fruit were used. Six traps were placed in each city (two traps per type of bait), for a total of 24 traps. They were left for 72 hours in each site and samples were collected every 12 hours (day and night). 5654 individuals were identified, belonging to the subfamilies Chrysomyinae and Luciliinae. The identified species were Cochliomyia macellaria, Chrysomya albiceps, Chrysomya megacephala, Lucilia eximia, Lucilia sericata and Chloroprocta idioidea, expanding the range of distribution for the last two species. The best bait was the rotten fish and the best time to collect these species was during daylight.

First record of the blow fly Chrysomya megacephala (Diptera: Calliphoridae) on a southern Atlantic island: implications for disease transmission in a protected environment.

First record of the blow fly Chrysomya megacephala (Diptera: Calliphoridae) on a southern Atlantic island: implications for disease transmission in a protected environment.

Blowflies (Diptera, Calliphoridae) Associated with Pig Carcasses in a Caatinga Area, Northeastern Brazil.

Studies that focused on Calliphoridae associated with pig carcasses are abundant in southern and southeastern Brazil; however, there are few in northeast. Here, we present an inventory of the blowfly species associated with the stages of decomposition of pig carcasses in a caatinga area during dry and rainy seasons. The study took place at the Private Reserve for the Environmental Inheritance "Fazenda Almas," state of Paraíba, Brazil. Using a modified version of the Shannon trap, 32,909 adult specimens belonging to eight species were captured. During the dry season, Cochliomyia macellaria (Fabricius) (52.2%) and Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann) (39.9%) were the most abundant species. In the rainy season, when the majority of individuals were captured (93.7%), Chloroprocta idioidea (Robineau-Desvoidy) (71.1%) was the most abundant. Five decomposition stages were recognized, being the active decay the most attractive to colonization by blowflies, except for Lucilia eximia (Wiedemann), which was more abundant in the bloated stage.

The potential uses of sarcosaprophagous flesh flies and blowflies for the evaluation of the regeneration and conservation of forest clearings: a case study in the Amazon forest.

The level of association between dipterans of the families Calliphoridae and Sarcophagidae and habitats with different levels of vegetation cover was analyzed at Porto Urucu in Coari, Amazonas, Brazil, with the aim of identifying the potential of these taxa as bioindicators for the assessment of forest regeneration and conservation. The flies were collected in 16 sample areas, 12 of which were clearings at different stages of regeneration (C1—early regeneration; C2—moderate regeneration; and C3—advanced regeneration) and 4 in continuous forest (F). According to the IndVal analysis, nine sarcophagid species— Peckia ( Sarcodexia ) lambens (Wiedemann) , Peckia ( Peckia ) chrysostoma (Wiedemann), Peckia ( Squamatodes ) ingens (Walker) , Sarcofahrtiopsis cuneata (Townsend) , Oxysarcodexia thornax (Walker), Peckia ( Euboettcheria ) collusor (Curran & Walley), Oxysarcodexia fringidea (Curran & Walley), Oxysarcodexia amorosa (Schiner), and Helicobia pilifera (Lopes)—were associated indiscriminately with clearings (C1 + C2 + C3). In contrast, only one calliphorid species Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann) was associated with clearings in the early moderate regeneration (C1 + C2) phases, and four calliphorids were associated with continuous forest or mature clearings (C3 + F): Mesembrinella bicolor (F.), Eumesembrinella randa (Walker), Mesembrinella bellardiana (Aldrich), and Lucilia eximia (Wiedemann). These results indicate that sarcophagids may be useful for evaluating the degree of anthropogenic impact but are not suitable for the detection of minor variations in forest cover. In contrast, calliphorids may be appropriate for the evaluation of both anthropogenic impacts and the degree of forest regeneration and conservation.

An update of the blow flies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) of the Galápagos Islands, and first record of Chrysomya rufifacies (Macquart) from mainland Ecuador.

Seven species of Calliphoridae are reported from the Galápagos Islands, Ecuador: Lucilia pionia (Walker), L. setosa (James), L. deceptor (Curran), L. eximia (Wiedemann), Cochliomyia macellaria (Fabricius), Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann), and Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius). Lucilia eximia is newly recorded from the islands. Lucilia sp. near pionia is recorded from the island of Española. The distribution and collection records of these species are discussed and listed, and a key to their identification is provided. Chrysomya rufifacies (Macquart) is reported for the first time from mainland Ecuador and the identification of this species is outlined.

Effect of Lunar Phases, Tides, and Wind Speed on the Abundance of Diptera Calliphoridae in a Mangrove Swamp

Abiotic factors, such as lunar phases and tides, have a significant effect on insect development. Reproduction and immature development are usually interlinked to these abiotic factors. The tide is at its highest levels at full moon or new moon, hindering the feeding of the immature or causing their drowning. The oviposition by adult females is also compromised on these days because much of the available food is submerged. Another important abiotic factor is the wind, which displaces odoriferous particles in the air. Wind speed and direction are important elements to indicate potential sources of food for insects. I report on the effects of lunar phases, tides, and wind speed on the Calliphoridae fauna in mangrove swamps. The different species collected were identified, and the predominant species in the area were quantified. A total of 1,710 flies were collected over a 1-year period. Six Calliphoridae flies, Chloroprocta idioidea (Robineau-Desvoidy), Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius), Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann), Chrysomya putoria (Wiedemann), Cochliomyia macellaria (Fabricius), and Lucilia eximia (Wiedemann) were collected. Data indicated that lunar phases have a significant effect on the abundance of C. albiceps (r = 0.39, p < 0.01), and that the variation of the tides also affected the abundance of C. putoria (r = 0.40, p < 0.00), C. macellaria (r = 0.41, p < 0.00), and C. idioidea (r = 0.31, p < 0.04). The wind speed, however, did not affect these species.

Quantitative and qualitative dynamics of exotic and native blowflies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) with migrations among municipalities

The population dynamics of blowflies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) has been investigated in studies combining different mathematical formalisms, with estimates of demographic parameters and spatial models. However, these applications are limited to laboratory data only. In this study, we investigated the population dynamics of three species of blowflies [Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann), Chrysomya megacephala (F.) and Lucilia eximia (Wiedemann)] in a mathematical model that includes parameters estimated in the laboratory and population sizes estimated from field collections, in order to simulate the dynamics of local migration. The model combines experimental estimates of fecundity and survival with abundance data obtained in field collections, to analyze comparatively the population dynamics of the three blowfly species, taking into account the theoretical movement by individuals among municipalities with different urbanization profiles. The ecological patterns of oscillation observed depended on the municipality only for C. albiceps, a species with special demographic characteristics that are probably associated with predatory and cannibalistic behaviors. The bifurcation diagrams showed that intermediate migration rates stabilize populations. Although the proposed model considers only six municipalities in a closed system, the study was able to show different impacts of local migration on the quantitative and qualitative population behaviors, by using different connectivity levels arising from the different distances among areas.

Spatio-Temporal Dynamics and Preference for Type of Bait in Necrophagous Insects, Particularly Native and Introduced Blow Flies (Diptera: Calliphoridae)

We carried out a year-long survey of insects, using carrion-baited traps in the municipality of Campinas and five surrounding municipalities with different urbanization profiles, in southeastern Brazil. We studied the spatio-temporal variability and preferences for type of bait of three blow fly species that are forensically important in Brazil: Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann), Chrysomya megacephala (F.), and Lucilia eximia (Wiedemann). All three species preferred chicken. C. albiceps and L. eximia preferred the urban environment, while C. megacephala preferred the rural environment. Calliphoridae, Muscidae, Fanniidae, and Sarcophagidae were the most numerous families. No clear seasonal patterns could be recognized for the three species. The associations of species/municipality, species/environment, and species/bait are discussed from the ecological and forensic standpoints.

INSETOS DE POTENCIAL IMPORTÂNCIA FORENSE E NA SAÚDE PÚBLICA EM REGIÃO URBANA DE MINAS GERAIS: FREQUÊNCIA RELATIVA E VARIAÇÃO SAZONAL DE FAUNA ATRAÍDA E CRIADA EM CARCAÇAS DE ROEDORES

Necrophagous insects may be important forensic indicators. Many necrophagous flies are also capable of transmitting pathogens and causing facultative myiasis in humans. The present study aimed at obtaining information on the necrophagous insects of the urban area of Uberlândia, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Carcasses of rodents were exposed in three different locations in the city until their complete decomposition, during autumn, winter, and spring of 2007 and summer of 2008. Thetraps used consisted of a cage where the carcasses were placed under a pyramid-shaped cover. Trays containing sawdust were placed under each cage for retention of immature and ambulatory adult insects. A total of 1,797 insects were collected in the traps and an other 5,937 specimens were bred in the carcasses. The attracted insects belonged to at least 51 species of 15 families of dipterans and coleopterans. Representatives of Hymenoptera, Hemiptera and Lepidoptera were also colleted. TheSarcophagidae were the most diverse family and Tricharaea (Sarcophagula) occidea (Fabricius, 1794) (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) was the most abundant species. The insects bred in the carcasses belonged to 18 species of Diptera and one Coleoptera. The blowfly, Lucilia eximia (Wiedemann, 1819) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) was the most abundant, corresponding to 75% of the bred specimens. Several species bred exclusively or almost exclusively in only one season of the year. Peckia species (Sarcophagidae) bred only in winter, Hemilucilia segmentaria (Fabricius, 1805) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) only in the fall and Musca domestica Linnaeus (Diptera: Muscidae) and Dermestes maculatus (DeGeer, 1774) (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) bred only in the spring. The results appoint to several potential species as forensic indicators in the urban area of Uberlândia, MG.

Sarcophagidae and Calliphoridae related to Rhinella schneideri (Anura, Bufonidae), Bothrops moojeni (Reptilia, Serpentes) and Mabuya frenata (Reptilia, Lacertilia) carcasses in Brasília, Brazil

Sarcophagidae and Calliphoridae related to Rhinella schneideri (Anura, Bufonidae), Bothrops moojeni (Reptilia, Serpentes) and Mabuya frenata (Reptilia, Lacertilia) carcasses in Brasilia, Brazil. This paper presents a list of necrophagous insects associated with small size carrions of two reptiles and one amphibian, found in areas of riparian forests and Cerrado sensu stricto physiognomies in a Conservation Unit located in Brasilia, Distrito Federal. We found seven species of insects related to these carcasses, being five Sarcophagidae, one Calliphoridae and one Braconidae parasitoid wasp. Lucilia eximia and Peckia (Pattonella) intermutans were the most abundant species in the study, corroborating with other studies that suggests that these species have specializations for colonization of small size animal carcasses.

Diversity and Synanthropy of Calliphoridae (Diptera) in the Region of Rio Claro, SP, Brazil

Dipteran blowflies (Calliphoridae) are of great medical and hygienic importance as vectors of pathogens and as parasites of living and dead tissue, and their association with carrion allows their use in forensic entomology. The objective of this study was to determine the synanthropic index of adult Calliphoridae (Diptera) collected in Rio Claro, São Paulo. Sampling occurred between September 2009 and August 2010. Traps baited with sardines, beef liver, and minced meat were assessed for five consecutive days per month in three distinct ecological areas representing urban, rural, and forest environments. The most abundant species was Lucilia eximia (Wiedemann), followed by Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann) and Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius). Lucilia eximia was the only species present in all seasons and the only species collected during the winter. The season with the lowest abundance was winter, with 69 (5.5%) specimens, and spring was the season with the greatest number of specimens collected (774-61.8%). The only species found outside inhabited areas (synanthropic) was Lucilia cuprina (Wiedemann), with a synanthropy index (SI) value of +5.7. The SI values for the other species were negative, showing a preference for uninhabited areas. The rural and urban areas were most similar in terms of species composition as were the beef and sardine baits. Among the baits used, liver attracted the greatest abundance of calliphorids, whereas minced meat attracted the greatest diversity.

Structure and ultrastructure of spermatozoa and spermiogenesis in three species of Lucilia Robineau‐desvoidy, 1830 (Diptera: Calliphoridae)

Morphology of male internal reproductive organs, spermatozoa, and spermiogenesis of the blow-flies Lucilia cuprina, Lucilia eximia, and Lucilia peruviana is first described here, using light and transmission electron microscopy. Spermiogenesis follows the characteristics described for others insect species. The spermatozoa of L. cuprina are similar to those described for other Brachycera. However, in L. eximia and L. peruviana, some differences were found. In L. cuprina and L. eximia species, the spermatozoa are long and thin, measuring about 211 μm and 146 μm in length, of which the head region measures approximately 19 μm and 17 μm, respectively. A polymorphism was observed in L. cuprina and L. eximia spermatozoa. In all three species, the head includes a monolayered acrosome with electron-lucent material. The shape of the nucleus, in cross sections, varies from circular to oval with completely condensed chromatin. Implantation of the axoneme was observed in the middle region of the nucleus, known as the "peg" region. In the next region, the beginning of two mitochondrial derivatives of similar diameter and different lengths in L. cuprina and only one in L. eximia and L. peruviana was observed. In the overlap region, the following structures were observed: nucleus, centriolar adjunct, mitochondrial derivatives, and axoneme. The axoneme is of a conventional insectan type with a 9 + 9 + 2 microtubular arrangement. The male internal reproductive tract consists of testis, deferent ducts, a strongly developed seminal vesicle, accessory glands, and ejaculatory duct. These features are consistent with the structural diversity of the dipteran reproductive tract and spermatozoa, comprising an essential tool for understanding the complex variations found in the Diptera.

LEVANTAMENTO E FLUTUAÇÃO POPULACIONAL DE CALLIPHORIDAE, EM CRIAÇÃO DE BOVINOS LEITEIROS, NO SUL DO RIO GRANDE DO SUL, BRASIL

This study had as objective to provide information on the behavior of calliphorideos in places of dairy cattle rearing, in the south of the Rio Grande do Sul. The work was carried out in Centro Agropecuario da Palma, pertaining to Universidade Federal de Pelotas (UFPEL). For capturing the calliphorideos, two WOT (Wind Oriented Trap) traps, baited with 250 g of decomposition bovine liver were used. The traps were displayed at 50 meters from the milking place, seven days per month, within the 10th and the 20th, and the captured specimens were removed from the traps and taken to the Laboratory of Insects Biology for selection, counting and identification. Within the period of March 2007 and the February 2008, 7,225 calliphorideos were captured, being Chrysomya megacephala the most predominant with 3.307 specimens (45.78%). Considering the monthly distribution of the calliphorideos collected in dairy bovine herds for twelve months, in the South of Rio Grande do Sul, monthly variation in the number of captured species was observed, being Chrysomya albiceps (2.445), Chrysomya putoria (90), Lucilia cuprina (118), Lucilia eximia (1.033), Lucilia sericata (41), Sarconesia chlorogaster (73), Calliphora lopesi (113), Hemilucilia semidiaphara (05). KEY WORDS: Behavior, cattle, Chrysomya megacephala, trap.

Insects (Diptera) associated with cadavers at the Institute of Legal Medicine in Pernambuco, Brazil: Implications for forensic entomology

Increasing rates of unsolved homicides in Brazil prompt the need for applied entomological data to be used as a complementary tool by criminal investigators. In that context, we analyzed the occurrence of forensically important insect species (Order Diptera) on 14 cadavers taken into the Institute of Legal Medicine (ILM), in Pernambuco, Brazil, according to the conditions of the body and the pattern of colonisation by insects. Simultaneously, we surveyed the diversity of insects in the surrounding environment using bait traps. Five species were present on cadavers: Chrysomya albiceps, Chrysomya megacephala and Cochliomyia macellaria (Calliphoridae), Oxysarcodexia riograndensis and Ravinia belforti (Sarcophagidae). A total of 4689 adult insects belonging to 24 species of seven dipteran families (Calliphoridae, Sarcophagidae, Muscidae, Fanniidae, Phoridae, Anthomyiidae and Stratiomyidae) was collected at the ILM premises. C. albiceps was the most frequent species on the corpses and the most abundant in the traps. Species referred to as of forensic importance, such as Lucilia eximia, Chrysomya putoria, Oxysarcodexia modesta and Ophyra chalcogaster were collected on traps, but not on cadavers. There seems to be a limited colonisation of cadavers at the scene of the death, despite the ubiquity of necrophagous species in the area. The results contribute to differentiate between species that are involved in decomposition and those found in and around the mortuary installations of the ILM, thus providing potential clues about the locality of death and the post-mortem interval.

Insects associated with exposed decomposing bodies in the Colombian Andean Coffee Region

In Colombia, mainly classic forensic medicine methods were used to clarify crimes until 2004. However, other disciplines, including forensic entomology, started to be considered only after the New Accusatory System introduction in Bogotá and the Coffee Region in 2005. In order to provide tools for obtaining evidentiary material elements in judicial trials, it is presented here the succession of insects throughout the decomposition process of an exposed carcass of Sus scrofa Linnaeus 1758 (Suidae) and the Occurrence Matrix of colonizing species. This process was evaluated under ambient conditions in the Andean rural area of the city of Pereira, in the Mundo Nuevo district, located in a pre-montane Wet Forest area, from October to November 2006. A sampling period of 27 days and 3198 individuals were collected. We found these colonizing species in the following stages of decomposition: Lucilia eximia (Wiedemann, 1819) fresh; Hemilucilia semidiaphana (Rondani, 1850), Oxelytrum discicolle (Brullé, 1840), and Cochliomyia macellaria (Fabricius 1775) bloated; Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann 1819), Compsomyiops verena (Walker, 1849), Ophyra aenescens (Wiedemann, 1830) and Musca domestica Linnaeus, 1758 active; Fannia sp. advanced and Stearibia nigriceps (Meigen, 1826) remains. This study provides support tools to define the Post Mortem Interval that may be used by experts from government institutions and laboratories officially accredited.

Dípteros de interesse forense em dois perfis de vegetação de cerrado em Uberlândia, MG

Carrion breeding insects may be of great utility in crimes briefing. Studies on forensic entomology are restricted to few localities in Brazil and very few of them were done in the cerrado vegetation (a type of Savannah) until now. This work aimed to survey the main species of dipterans associated with the decomposition process of Sus scrofa and the insect succession pattern in carcasses in the Cerrado. The study was carried out in the dry and humid season of the year, in two cerrado vegetation profiles in Uberlândia, MG. Two pig carcasses were placed in each vegetation profile and time period of the year. The decomposition process was slower and insects were more abundant in the dry season. Differences in temperature, air humidity and pluvial precipitation seemed to be the main physical factors responsible for the differences in the time of decomposition of the pig carcasses between the two seasons. Fourteen species of dipterans (59,467 specimens) bred in the decomposing carcasses. Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann) was the species more abundantly breed in the two periods. The other species that breed in the carcasses were: C. putoria (Wiedemann), Hemilucilia segmentaria(Fabricius), Lucilia eximia(Wiedemann) (Calliphoridae), Peckia (Pattonella) intermutans(Walker), Peckia (Squamatoides) trivitatta(Curran), Sarcodexia lambens(Wiedemann) (Sarcophagidae), Musca domestica(L.), Ophyra aenescens(Wiedemann), Stomoxys calcitransL. (Muscidae), Fannia pusio(Wiedemann), Fannia sp. (Fanniidae), Hermetia illuscens L. (Stratiomyidae) and Phoridae sp. The Cerrado of this region presents many dipterans potential forensic indicators.

The bizarre male of Spalangia dozieri (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae): adaptations for male phoresy or the result of sexual selection?

AbstractSpalangia dozieri Burks is newly recorded as a gregarious parasitoid in the puparia of Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann), C. putoria (Wiedemann), Lucilia eximia (Wiedemann), and L. sericata (Meigen) (Diptera: Calliphoridae), and represents the first report of gregariousness in Spalangia Latreille. The previously unknown males of S. dozieri are described and compared with females. Males have highly modified legs and several other sexually dimorphic features that differ from those of other Spalangia species. Most of the unusual features are hypothesized to be adaptations for grasping and holding and it is suggested that males either are phoretic on adults of their dipteran hosts or, possibly, that males exhibit aggressive or other atypical behaviour toward siblings that is correlated with being gregarious. Barbados, Brazil, Dominica, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, and Trinidad are recorded as new country distribution records for S. dozieri.