Distinguishing Four Calliphoridae Species (Diptera) from Jamaica Using the Cephalopharyngeal Skeleton: Application to Forensic Investigations.

Flies of the family Calliphoridae, commonly called blow flies, are important in the decomposition process. Knowledge on their succession pattern on corpses, species identification and the duration of their life cycle stages can be useful in forensic investigations especially when estimating the post-mortem interval. We performed linear-based morphometrics on the cephalopharyngeal skeleton of four blow fly species found in Jamaica to distinguish species and determine larval development stage. We collected eggs from pigs' heads used as bait in the field and conducted rearing exercises in the laboratory. We used the internal skeletonized structure, the cephalopharyngeal skeleton, to develop a practical and efficient method for species identification. For the first instar, we found species can be differentiated using all the measurements analysed in the study. We found that the mouth hook length may be useful in distinguishing larvae in the second instar. For the larvae in the third instar, the whole length of the skeleton, from mouth hook to length of the dorsal cornue, may be useful for separating species. We provide information on the cephalopharyngeal skeleton of Lucilia lucigerens (James), a blow fly species endemic to Jamaica, for the first time. Our work provides relevant information that could be utilized for species identification and life stage determination if fly evidence is to be incorporated in forensic investigations in Jamaica.

Successful Community-Based Conservation: The Story of Millbank and Pterourus (Papilio) homerus.

The literature on community-based environmental management is very extensive and the discussion of the pros and cons is continuing. Presented here is an example of a successful interaction between university-based entomologists and a local rural community, detailing the change in the attitude of the town of Millbank, Jamaica, from a Giant Swallowtail Butterfly collecting site to a model for community protection of a species and its environment. A review of some of the research work on community-based conservation efforts is included. These linkages take a considerable time to establish and the efforts spent by scientific personnel, governmental representatives and eco-tourists are itemized to emphasize how specific conservation activities have inspired confidence in the local community, thus engendering trust and mutual respect between the two groups. Reviews of the developed legislative support from both international and state entities also must be in place, and these are included in chronological detail as much as possible. Finally, a review of the long-term funding of educational and other local programs providing a level of stability to the conservation effort, until the local community can take over the protection of the species and/or habitat, is provided. Of utmost importance is a comprehensive educational campaign to not only sensitize the community, but the larger society, so that there can be buy-in from all stakeholders.

A new species of Hyperomyzus (Neonasonovia) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) from Jamaica / Una Nueva Especie de Hyperomyzus (Neonasonovia) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) de Jamaica

Esta descripción está basada en ejemplares ápteros colectados en Jamaica sobre Eupatorium sp. (Asteraceae). Se proveen fotografías e ilustraciones de la nueva especie. La nueva especie es comparada con una especie no descrita de Costa Rica. Se diferencia de Hyperomyzus (Neonasonovia) nigra (Baker) por tener siphunculi más estrechos, pocas rhinarias secundarias y el rostro más alargado.

Hyperomyzus (Neonasonovia) pullatus Hall & Garraway sp. n (Hemiptera: Aphididae) is described based on apterous specimens collected from Eupatorium sp., (Asteraceae) in Jamaica. Photos and illustrations are provided. It is compared with an undescribed species from Costa Rica. It is distinguished from Hyperomyzus (Neonasonovia) nigra (Baker) by having narrower siphunculi, less secondary rhinaria and a longer rostrum.

A new species of Hyperomyzus (Neonasonovia) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) from Jamaica.

Hyperomyzus (Neonasonovia) pullatus Hall & Garraway sp. n (Hemiptera: Aphididae) is described based on apterous specimens collected from Eupatorium sp., (Asteraceae) in Jamaica. Photos and illustrations are provided. It is compared with an undescribed species from Costa Rica. It is distinguished from Hyperomyzus (Neonasonovia) nigra (Baker) by having narrower siphunculi, less secondary rhinaria and a longer rostrum.

Extraction, processing, and storage effects on curcuminoids and oleoresin yields from Curcuma longa L. grown in Jamaica.

Aromatic diarylheptanoid compounds from Curcuma longa Linn grown in Jamaica were quantified by UV-vis spectrophotometry and high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) analyses. The oleoresin yields from ethanolic extracts were quantified and evaluated with regard to the effects of the type of postharvesting process and the type of extraction method conducted on the plant material. Fresh samples that were hot solvent extracted provided the highest oleoresin yields of 15.7% +/- 0.4 ( n = 3), and the lowest oleoresin yields of 7.8% +/- 0.2 ( n = 3) were from the dried milled samples that were cold solvent extracted. Data from the ASTA spectrophotometer assay confirmed that dried samples contained the highest curcuminoid content of 55.5% +/- 2.2 ( n = 6) at the fifth month of storage, and the fresh samples showed a curcuminoid content of 47.1% +/- 6.4 ( n = 6) at the third month of storage. A modified HPLC analysis was used to quantify curcumin content. Data from the HPLC analysis confirmed that the dried treated, hot extracted, room temperature stored samples had the highest curcumin content of 24.3%. A novel high-performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) method provided a chemical fingerprint of the C. longa with the use of a commercial curcumin standard.