Antennal transcriptome analysis reveals sensory receptors potentially associated with host detection in the livestock pest Lucilia cuprina.

BACKGROUND: Lucilia cuprina (Wiedemann, 1830) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) is the main causative agent of flystrike of sheep in Australia and New Zealand. Female flies lay eggs in an open wound or natural orifice, and the developing larvae eat the host's tissues, a condition called myiasis. To improve our understanding of host-seeking behavior, we quantified gene expression in male and female antennae based on their behavior. METHODS: A spatial olfactometer was used to evaluate the olfactory response of L. cuprina mated males and gravid females to fresh or rotting beef. Antennal RNA-Seq analysis was used to identify sensory receptors differentially expressed between groups. RESULTS: Lucilia cuprina females were more attracted to rotten compared to fresh beef (> fivefold increase). However, males and some females did not respond to either type of beef. RNA-Seq analysis was performed on antennae dissected from attracted females, non-attracted females and males. Transcripts encoding sensory receptors from 11 gene families were identified above a threshold (≥ 5 transcript per million) including 49 ATP-binding cassette transporters (ABCs), two ammonium transporters (AMTs), 37 odorant receptors (ORs), 16 ionotropic receptors (IRs), 5 gustatory receptors (GRs), 22 odorant-binding proteins (OBPs), 9 CD36-sensory neuron membrane proteins (CD36/SNMPs), 4 chemosensory proteins (CSPs), 4 myeloid lipid-recognition (ML) and Niemann-Pick C2 disease proteins (ML/NPC2), 2 pickpocket receptors (PPKs) and 3 transient receptor potential channels (TRPs). Differential expression analyses identified sex-biased sensory receptors. CONCLUSIONS: We identified sensory receptors that were differentially expressed between the antennae of both sexes and hence may be associated with host detection by female flies. The most promising for future investigations were as follows: an odorant receptor (LcupOR46) which is female-biased in L. cuprina and Cochliomyia hominivorax Coquerel, 1858; an ABC transporter (ABC G23.1) that was the sole sensory receptor upregulated in the antennae of females attracted to rotting beef compared to non-attracted females; a female-biased ammonia transporter (AMT_Rh50), which was previously associated with ammonium detection in Drosophila melanogaster Meigen, 1830. This is the first report suggesting a possible role for ABC transporters in L. cuprina olfaction and potentially in other insects.

A long-term study on the impact of climatic variables on two common nest-dwelling ectoparasites of the Eurasian blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus).

We explored the potential influence of temperature and precipitation on the abundance of two nest-dwelling ectoparasites (blowflies and mites) of Eurasian blue tits (Cyanistes caeruleus) during a period of 21 years and compared the results with those of a shorter period. The abundance of blowflies was negatively related to precipitation, which could prevent flies from locating their host, and laying date. In addition, blowflies were positively related to brood size (more food implies more parasites) and the interaction between precipitation and temperature. The highest abundances of blowfly pupae were attained in conditions of increasing precipitation and decreasing temperature, which should be more common at the beginning of the bird breeding season. Mites were significantly and positively related to laying date and the interaction between average precipitation and temperature but only for the larger dataset. Higher abundances of mites were related to intermediate values of temperature and precipitations, conditions that are found at the end of the breeding season. These results imply that optimal conditions for both parasites differ, with blowflies preferring earlier breeders and colder and more humid conditions than mites. Thus, the effects of the climatic conditions studied on parasite abundances are non-monotonic and can vary with years and parasite species. Finally, the fact that average temperature and precipitation decreases across the years of study is probably due to the advancement in Eurasian blue tit laying date because we calculated those variables for the period of birds' reproduction. This earlier nesting does not affect parasite abundance.

Effects of ivermectin on development of Calliphora vicina, Robineau-Desvoidy 1830 (Diptera, Calliphoridae).

Ivermectin is one of the most widely used drugs for parasite control. Previous studies have shown a reduction in the abundance and diversity of "non-target" coprophilous organisms due to the presence of ivermectin (IVM) in bovine faecal matter (FM). Due to its breadth of behavioural habits, Calliphora vicina is a suitable dipteran species to evaluate the effects of IVM in FM. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of five concentrations of IVM in FM (3000, 300, 100, 30, and 3 ng/g) on the development of C. vicina. The following endpoints were evaluated: survival (between the first larval stage and emergence of new adults), larval development times to pupation and pupation times to adult, and adult emergence (% sex) and LC50. Sampling was performed from larval hatching at 60 and 120 min and at 3, 4, 5, and 12 h, and every 24 h specimens were weighed until pupae were observed. Data were analysed by ANOVA using a non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis test and as a function of elapsed development time and accumulated degree hours (ADH). Mortality at 3000 and 300 ng/g was 100% and 97%, respectively. There were statistically significant delays in adult emergence time (p = 0.0216) and in the ADH (p = 0.0431) between the control group (C) and 100 ng/g. The LC50 was determined at 5.6 ng/g. These results demonstrate the lethal and sub-lethal effects of IVM on C. vicina, while highlighting the usefulness of this species as a bioindicator for ecotoxicological studies.

Does tail docking prevent Cochliomyia hominivorax myiasis in sheep? A six-year retrospective cohort study.

Tail docking is a husbandry practice widely incorporated in sheep farms around the world. It is an irreversible mutilation that impairs animal welfare, both immediately and in the longer term. The defence of tail docking as a practice is centred around the perception that doing so contributes to the promotion of local hygiene, allowing the use of the wool, facilitating reproductive management and reducing the chances of myiasis, a disease caused by the invasion of blowfly larvae in the tissues of warm-blooded animals. However, current understanding of farm animal welfare questions the need to maintain practices such as tail docking. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of tail docking on the incidence of Cochliomyia hominivorax myiasis in sheep in an experimental flock in Brazil during a six-year retrospective cohort study. Relative risk, odds ratio and incidence rate ratio were the association measures adopted. A total of 4,318 data-points were collected and supplied the analytical model. Tail docking did not decrease the risk and, on the contrary, was found to increase the chances of sheep being affected by myiasis. The results support the hypothesis that tail docking is not a protective factor against the occurrence of myiasis and further fuel calls for a rethink of tail docking being deployed as a blanket measure in the prevention of myiasis in sheep.

A geometric morphometric analysis of wing variations in shape and size of the blue bottle fly, Calliphora vicina (Diptera: Calliphoridae).

A geometric morphometric analysis was performed on the right wing of adult Calliphora vicina (Robineau-Desvoidy) collected across 4 altitudinal levels in Sicily. The objective of this study was to assess differences in shape and centroid size (CS) between females and males and across elevations. The wings analyzed in this study were removed from adults of C. vicina collected with baited traps at 20, 700, 1,153, and 1,552; for this study, 19 landmarks were identified in each wing. The coordinates of the landmarks were aligned and superimposed to prevent variations due to position, orientation, and scale; they were then scaled to the same CS and recentered. CS and Procrustes differences were, respectively, used to assess variations in size and shape. Significant differences were observed in wing shape between males and females but not between all altitudinal levels. Female wings were found to be significantly larger than males (P < 0.01). Wings of flies collected at the highest altitudinal level resulted in significantly larger wings than those collected at lower altitudes (P < 0.001), with CS values ranging from 12.1 to 14.1. Variation in wing shape can impact thermal regulation, and therefore, oxygen content, temperature, atmospheric pressure, and solar radiation can have an effect on an insect's body and activity levels. At high elevations and lower temperatures, larger wings could mean less energy expenditure when flying to increase body temperature.

Complete Mitochondrial Genome for Lucilia cuprina dorsalis (Diptera: Calliphoridae) from the Northern Territory, Australia.

The Australian sheep blowfly, Lucilia cuprina dorsalis, is a major sheep ectoparasite causing subcutaneous myiasis (flystrike), which can lead to reduced livestock productivity and, in severe instances, death of the affected animals. It is also a primary colonizer of carrion, an efficient pollinator, and used in maggot debridement therapy and forensic investigations. In this study, we report the complete mitochondrial (mt) genome of L. c. dorsalis from the Northern Territory (NT), Australia, where sheep are prohibited animals, unlike the rest of Australia. The mt genome is 15,943 bp in length, comprising 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), two ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs), 22 transfer RNAs (tRNAs), and a non-coding control region. The gene order of the current mt genome is consistent with the previously published L. cuprina mt genomes. Nucleotide composition revealed an AT bias, accounting for 77.5% of total mt genome nucleotides. Phylogenetic analyses of 56 species/taxa of dipterans indicated that L. c. dorsalis and L. sericata are the closest among all sibling species of the genus Lucilia, which helps to explain species evolution within the family Luciliinae. This study provides the first complete mt genome sequence for L. c. dorsalis derived from the NT, Australia to facilitate species identification and the examination of the evolutionary history of these blowflies.

Effects of Diet on the Gut Bacterial Community of Aldrichina grahami (Diptera: Calliphoridae) across Developmental Stages.

The blowfly, Aldrichina grahami (Diptera: Calliphoridae), is a well-known forensically important insect. Basic data related to A. grahami have been well documented; but despite the pivotal role of gut microbes in various facets of insect biology, little is known about its gut microbiome. To investigate the gut bacterial community of A. grahami and explore its stability, diet and developmental stage were selected as the two variables. Larvae were reared on bovine liver, swine manure, and chicken manure, and high-throughput sequencing of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd instar larvae and the newly emerged adults was performed. According to our results, the alpha diversity of the gut bacterial community did not significantly vary among different diets and developmental stages. Principal coordinate analysis revealed that the gut microbiome of A. grahami clustered together among different diets and developmental stages. The main phyla in the gut microbial community of A. grahami were Firmicutes and Proteobacteria, and the dominant genera were Vagococcus, Providencia, Lactobacillus, and Morganella. These findings characterized the gut microbiome of A. grahami and demonstrated that the gut bacterial community is fairly stable. The dominant genera Vagococcus, Providencia, Lactobacillus, and Morganella have the potential to serve as core microbiomes within the gut microbial community of A. grahami.

Ecological determinants of prevalence of the male-killing bacterium Arsenophonus nasoniae.

Male-killing bacteria are found in a broad range of arthropods. Arsenophonus nasoniae is a male-killing bacterium, causing a 80% reduction of the male progeny in infected Nasonia vitripennis wasps. Although the discovery of A. nasoniae dates from the early 80's, knowledge about the biology and ecology of this endosymbiont is still scarce. One of these poorly studied features is the ecological factors underlying A. nasoniae incidence on its Nasonia spp. hosts in different geographical locations. Here, we studied the prevalence of A. nasoniae in Iberian wild populations of its host N. vitripennis. This wasp species is a common parasitoid of the blowfly Protocalliphora azurea pupae, which in turn is a parasite of hole-nesting birds, such as the blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus). We also examined the effects of bird rearing conditions on the prevalence of A. nasoniae through a brood size manipulation experiment (creating enlarged, control and reduced broods). Both the wasp and bacterium presence were tested through PCR assays in blowfly pupae. We found A. nasoniae in almost half (47%) of nests containing blowflies parasitized by N. vitripennis. The prevalence of A. nasoniae was similar in the two geographical areas examined (central Portugal and southeastern Spain) and the probability of infection by A. nasoniae was independent of the number of blowfly pupae in the nest. Experimental manipulation of brood size did not affect the prevalence of A. nasoniae nor the prevalence of its host, N. vitripennis. These results suggest that the incidence of A. nasoniae in natural populations of N. vitripennis is high in the Iberian Peninsula, and the infestation frequency of nests by N. vitripennis carrying A. nasoniae is spatially stable in this geographical region independently of bird rearing conditions.

Deciphering the impact of microenvironmental factors on cuticular hydrocarbon degradation in Lucilia sericata empty Puparia: Bridging ecological and forensic entomological perspectives using machine learning models.

Blow flies (Calliphoridae) play essential ecological roles in nutrient recycling by consuming decaying organic matter. They serve as valuable bioindicators in ecosystem management and forensic entomology, with their unique feeding behavior leading to the accumulation of environmental pollutants in their cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs), making them potential indicators of exposure history. This study focuses on CHC degradation dynamics in empty puparia of Lucilia sericata under different environmental conditions for up to 90 days. The three distinct conditions were considered: outdoor-buried, outdoor-above-ground, and indoor environments. Five predominant CHCs, n-Pentacosane (n-C25), n-Hexacosane (n-C26), n-Heptacosane (n-C27), n-Octacosane (n-C28), and n-Nonacosane (n-C29), were analyzed using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). The findings revealed variations in CHC concentrations over time, influenced by environmental factors, with significant differences at different time points. Correlation heatmap analysis indicated negative correlations between weathering time and certain CHCs, suggesting decreasing concentrations over time. Machine learning techniques Support Vector Machine (SVM), Multilayer Perceptron (MLP), and eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) models explored the potential of CHCs as age indicators. SVM achieved an R-squared value of 0.991, demonstrating high accuracy in age estimation based on CHC concentrations. MLP also exhibited satisfactory performance in outdoor conditions, while SVM and MLP yielded unsatisfactory results indoors due to the lack of significant CHC variations. After comprehensive model selection and performance evaluations, it was found that the XGBoost model excelled in capturing the patterns in all three datasets. This study bridges the gap between baseline and ecological/forensic use of empty puparia, offering valuable insights into the potential of CHCs in environmental monitoring and investigations. Understanding CHCs' stability and degradation enhances blow flies' utility as bioindicators for pollutants and exposure history, benefiting environmental monitoring and forensic entomology.

Cloning, expression and molecular analysis of recombinant Netrin-A protein of Lucilia sericata Meigen (Diptera: Calliphoridae) larvae.

Objectives: Lucilia sericata (Diptera: Calliphoridae) is used in larval therapy for wound healing. Netrin-A is an enzyme secreted from the salivary glands of these larvae, and has a central role in neural regeneration and angiogenesis. This study aimed to produce the recombinant Netrin-A protein from Lucilia sericata larvae by the baculovirus expression vector system in the Sf9 insect cell line. Methods: The coding sequence of Netrin-A was cloned, amplified in the pTG19 vector, and then cloned in the pFastBac HTA vector. It was then transformed into DH10Bac, and the recombinant Bacmid was subsequently transfected into Sf9 cells. The recombinant Netrin-A was purified by Ni-NTA agarose. The evaluation was done using SDS-PAGE and western blot, respectively. Finally, its concentration was calculated with the Bradford assay. Results: The molecular weight of this protein was 52 kDa with 404 amino acids. The signal peptide was located between amino acids 24 and 25. The concentration of Netrin-A was calculated to be 48.8 µg/ml. It reaffirmed the characterized gene codes of Lucilia sericata Netrin-A in a previous study. Conclusions: The generation of recombinant Netrin-A could be used in larval therapy, and as a biomarker in certain diseases. The netrin-A of Lucilia sericata was unprecedentedly cloned and expressed in a eukaryotic cell line. Given that this larva is FDA-approved, and non-pathogenic, it conduces to research on the development of maggot therapy in future.

The genome sequence of a bluebottle, Calliphora vomitoria (Linnaeus, 1758).

We present a genome assembly from an individual male Calliphora vomitoria (a bluebottle; Arthropoda; Insecta; Diptera; Calliphoridae). The genome sequence is 708 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into six chromosomal pseudomolecules, including the assembled X sex chromosome. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 16.2 kilobases in length. Gene annotation of this assembly on Ensembl identified 12,917 protein coding genes.

The first record of parasitic mite, Leptus sp. (Acari: Erythraeidae) associated with a necrophagous fly, Chrysomya villeneuvi Patton, 1922 (Diptera: Calliphoridae)

@#This is the first documentation of parasitic mite, Leptus sp., found on a necrophagous blowfly, Chrysomya villeneuvi collected from a decomposing wild boar carcass placed in Taman Negara (National Park), Kuala Keniam, Pahang, Malaysia. Blowflies around the carcass were captured using an insect net before being examined under a stereomicroscope. Upon microscopic observation, we found a mite attached on the scutellum of C. villeneuvi adult. The mite was carefully removed and preserved in 70% ethanol subsequently. Then, the mite was cleared in lactophenol before being mounted in Hoyer’s medium. The morphological identification of the mite was conducted and Leptus sp. was identified. The species belongs to the phalangii species group and the aldonae species subgroup. This study highlights the new association of Leptus sp. and C. villeneuvi for the first time.

Desenvolvimento pós-embrionário de Chrysomya putoria (Calliphoridae) em carne equina e sua importância para a entomologia e veterinária forenses / [Post embryonic development of Chrysomya putoria (Calliphoridae) using horse meat and its importance for forensic entomology and veterinary]

Devido à importância médica, veterinária, ambiental e forense do califorídeo Chrysomya putoria (Diptera), foi avaliado o desempenho apresentado por estágios imaturos criados em carne de cavalo. Os espécimes foram colocados em câmaras aclimatizadas reguladas a 30 ºC, 60 ± 10% UR e 14 horas de fotofase. Os estágios larval e pupal concluíram seu desenvolvimento em 4,16 e 4,12 dias, respectivamente. As larvas pós-alimentação e pupas com 24h de idade pesaram, em média, 58,06 e 40,10mg, respectivamente. As taxas de emergência registradas foram de 65% nas condições experimentais propostas. Como os compostos orgânicos voláteis são diferentes na decomposição de um animal para outro, este trabalho e outros realizados com a mesma dieta são os mais apropriados para estimativa de intervalo post mortem envolvendo cavalos.(AU)

Due to medical, veterinary, environmental and forensic importance of the calliphorid Chrysomya putoria (Diptera), the performance presented by immature stages, reared on horse meat, was evaluated. The specimens were placed in acclimatized chambers regulated at 30 ºC, 60 ± 10% RU and 14 hours of photo phase. The larval and pupal stages completed their development in 4, 16 and 4, 12 days, respectively. Post-feeding larvae and aged 24h pupae weight on average 58, 06 and 40, 10 mg, respectively. The emergence rates recorded were 65% under the experimental conditions proposed. As volatile organic compounds are different in the decomposition of one animal to another, this work and others carried out with the same diet are the most appropriate for estimating post-mortem interval involving horses.(AU)

A survey of necrophagous blowflies (Diptera: Oestroidea) in the Amazonas-Negro interfluvial region (Brazilian Amazon)

ABSTRACT The fauna of blowflies (Calliphoridae and Mesembrinellidae) in three localities of primary Amazon forest coverage in the Amazonas-Negro interfluvial region was assessed. A total of 5066 blowflies were collected, with Chloroprocta idiodea being the most abundant species (66.3%). A difference in species richness between the localities ZF2 and Novo Airão was observed. Comparison among sampled sites revealed no considerable variation in fauna composition, except for the species Eumesembrinella benoisti (Séguy 1925) and Hemilucilia sp., whose occurrence was observed only in a single locality. Apparently, Amazon rivers are not efficient geographical barriers to influence the current composition of necrophagous blowfly assemblages. Also, most of the blowfly species did not show a noticeable specificity for any specific forest among the interfluvial areas of the ombrophilous forest. Finally, an updated checklist of necrophagous blowfly species of the Amazonas state in Brazil is presented.

Biological activity of Pouteria sapota leaf extract on post-embryonic development of blowfly Chrysomya putoria (Wiedemann, 1818) (Calliphoridae)

Chemical insecticides have been the main way to control synanthropic flies of medical and veterinary importance; however, residuals of these products have become a factor impacting on the environment, as well as the potential toxicological that they may cause damage to humans and domestic animals. Phytochemical screening carried out with the aqueous crude extract of Pouteria sapota (Jacq.) H.E. Moore & Stearn, Sapotaceae, leaves showed that coumarins, reducing sugars, flavonoids and cyanogenic glycosides were its most abundant metabolites. This study evaluated the activity of the crude aqueous extract of this plant on the post-embryonic development of Chrysomya putoria. Larvae treated with 5, 10 and 25% extract showed a decrease in the pupal period and in the newly-hatched larvae to adult period when compared to the control groups. Larvae from the 25% extract group were the lightest (45.8 mg) when compared with the control group (46.5 mg). The larval and newly-hatched larvae to adult stages were more sensitive to the leaf extract from P. sapota (5%) and the treated flies showed the low viability (47.5 and 45.5% respectively). The results demonstrated that topic treatment with P. sapota could alter C. putoria post embryonic development.

Population dynamics, life stage and ecological modeling in Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Calliphoridae)

In this study we investigated the population dynamics of Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann) with laboratory experiments, employing survival analysis and stage structure mathematical models, emphasizing survival among life stages. The study also assessed the theoretical influence of density dependence and cannibalism during immature stages, on the population dynamics of the species. The survival curves were similar, indicating that populations of C. albiceps exhibit the same pattern of survival among life stages. A strong nonlinear trend was observed, suggesting density dependence, acting during the first life stages of C. albiceps. The time-series simulations produced chaotic oscillations for all life stages, and the cannibalism did not produce qualitative changes in the dynamic behavior. The bifurcation analysis shows that for low values for survival, the population reaches a stable equilibrium, but the cannibalism results in chaotic oscillations practically over all the parametric space. The implications of the patterns of dynamic behavior observed are discussed.

Myiasis by Screw Worm Cochliomyia hominivorax (Coquerel) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) in a Wild Maned Wolf Chrysocyon brachyurus (Mammalia: Canidae), in Brasília, Brazil

In April 2009, a wild maned wolf, Chrysocyon brachyurus, was captured in an area of cerrado in Brasília, DF, Brazil, with screw worm maggots in external wounds. Fifty larvae were bred in the laboratory and eight adults of Cochliomyia hominivorax (Coquerel) emerged 10 days after pupation. This is the first report of a myiasis by C. hominivorax in a free-living maned wolf in Brazil.

Dípteros de interesse forense em dois perfis de vegetação de cerrado em Uberlândia, MG / Dipterans of forensic interest in two vegetation profiles of cerrado in Uberlândia, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil

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.

Os insetos podem ser de grande utilidade no auxílio de elucidações de crimes. Estudos de entomologia forense ainda estão restritos a poucas localidades no Brasil e são escassos na vegetação de cerrado. Este estudo teve por objetivo identificar as principais espécies de Diptera associadas ao processo de decomposição de carcaças de suínos Sus scrofa e o padrão de sucessão de insetos nesse tipo de substrato. Foram realizados dois experimentos nos períodos seco e úmido do ano em duas áreas de cerrado no município de Uberlândia, MG. Foram utilizadas duas carcaças de suínos em cada ambiente e período do ano. O processo de decomposição foi mais lento no período seco, assim como a maior quantidade de insetos coletados. Diferenças na temperatura, umidade e precipitação pluviométrica parecem ter sido os principais responsáveis pelas diferenças nos tempos de decomposição entre os dois períodos do ano. Quatorze espécies (59.467 espécimes) foram coletadas nas carcaças em decomposição. 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) e Phoridae sp. O cerrado dessa região apresenta vários dípteros potenciais indicadores forenses.

Descripción y clave de los estadios inmaduros de las principales especies de Calliphoridae (Diptera) de importancia forense en Colombia / Description and key to the main species of Calliphoridae (Diptera) larvae of forensic importance from Colombia

Se presenta una clave dicotómica con ilustraciones para separar 13 especies de larvas de Calliphoridae de importancia forense en Colombia y la descripción de los estadíos inmaduros. Se describen todos los instar larvales de Calliphora nigribasis Macquart, Cochliomyia macellaria (Fabricius), Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann), Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius), Hemilucilia segmentaria (Fabricius), Hemilucilia semidiaphana (Rondani), Lucilia eximia (Weidemann), el segundo y tercer instar de Compsomyiops verena (Walter) y solo el tercer instar de Calliphora vicina Robineau-Desvoidy, Cochliomyia hominivorax (Coquerel), Lucilia peruviana Robineau-Desvoidy, Lucilia sericata (Meigen) y Sarconesiopsis magellanica (Le Guillou).

Larvae of 13 blowfly species from Colombia are described and an illustrated key for all them is presented. All larval instars of Calliphora nigribasis Macquart, Cochliomyia macellaria (Fabricius), Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann), Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius), Hemilucilia segmentaria (Fabricius), Hemilucilia semidiaphana (Rondani), Lucilia eximia (Weidemann) are described, but the second and third instars of Compsomyiops verena (Walter), and only the third instar of Calliphora vicina Robineau-Desvoidy, Cochliomyia hominivorax (Coquerel), Lucilia peruviana Robineau-Desvoidy, Lucilia sericata (Meigen) and Sarconesiopsis magellanica (Le Guillou).

Rearing Chrysomya megacephala on artificial diets composed of varying concentrations of albumin

Larvae of the blowfly Chrysomya megacephala were reared on an artificial diet composed of five different concentrations of albumin (2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 percent) and the control group was fed on putrid bovine meat. No larvae developed in the 2 and 10 percent albumin concentrations. The period from newly hatched larvae to adults reared on 4, 6 and 8 percent albumin was 13.1, 13.1 and 13.6 days, respectively, whereas for the control group, it was 11.2 days. Concentrations of 4, 6 and 8 percent albumin proved viabile for larval periods of 29.3, 44.0 and 57.3 percent, respectively, whereas for the control group, it was 77.3 percent. Pupal viability was 77.3, 36.4 and 83.7 percent, while for the control group, it was 84.5 percent; the newly hatched larvae to adult viability was 21.3, 16.0 and 48.0 percent, respectively, and for the control group, it was 65.3 percent.

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o desenvolvimento pós-embrionário de Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius, 1794) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) em dietas artificiais à base de albumina nas concentrações de 2 por cento, 4 por cento, 6 por cento, 8 por cento e 10 por cento de albumina e como controle foi utilizada a carne bovina moída putrefata. Não houve desenvolvimento nas dietas de concentração 2 por cento e 10 por cento de albumina. A duração do período de larva a adulto foi 13,1; 13,1 e 13,6 dias, respectivamente, e a do controle foi de 11,2 dias. As dietas artificiais nas concentrações 4, 6 e 8 por cento de albumina apresentaram viabilidades larvais de 29,3; 44,0 e 57,3 por cento, respectivamente e o controle 77,3 por cento; as viabilidades de pupa foram 77,3; 36,4 e 83,7 por cento e o controle 84,5 por cento, respectivamente; as viabilidades de larva a adulto foram 21,3; 16,0 e 48,0 por cento e o controle foi de 65,3 por cento, respectivamente.