Nuevo registro de Cepa apeca (Diptera, Syrphidae, Eristalinae, Merodontini) en la región Andino-Amazónica de Colombia, con expansión de su rango geográfico / New record of Cepa apeca (Diptera, Syrphidae, Eristalinae, Merodontini) in the Andean-Amazonian region of Colombia and expansion of its geographic range

Las moscas de las flores del género Cepa son endémicas de la región Neotropical y Cepa apeca solo se conoce actualmente en Costa Rica. Aquí reportamos el primer registro de C. apeca en Colombia, basado en una sola hembra recolectada usando una trampa de dosel en un bosque denso secundario en un ecosistema montañoso en la localidad de Vereda San Francisco, município de Florencia-Caquetá, a una altitud de 643 m.s.n.m. Este hallazgo constituye el primer registro del género Cepa en Colombia y amplía el rango geográfico de Cepa apeca en aproximadamente 1.500 km (en línea recta) hacia el sur en Sudamérica. Nuestro hallazgo representa la ocurrencia más austral de la especie y contribuye al conocimiento incipiente sobre la diversidad de dípteros en la región Andino-Amazonica colombiana. (AU)

New record of Cepa apeca (Diptera, Syrphidae, Eristalinae, Merodontini) in the Andean-Amazonian region of Colombia and expansion of its geographic range / Nuevo registro de Cepa apeca (Diptera, Syrphidae, Eristalinae, Merodontini) en la región Andino-Amazónica de Colombia, con expansión de su rango geográfico

Flower flies of the genus Cepa are endemic to the Neotropical region and Cepa apeca is currently known only from Costa Rica. Here we report the first record of C. apeca in Colombia based on a single female collected using a canopy trap in a dense secondary forest in a mountainous ecosystem in the locality of Vereda San Francisco, municipality of Florencia-Caquetá, at an altitude of 643 m.a.s.l. This finding constitutes the first record of the genus Cepa in Colombia and expands the geographic range of Cepa apeca by approximately 1,500 km (straight line) southwards to South America. Our finding represents the southernmost occurrence of the species and contributes to the incipient knowledge on the Diptera diversity in the Colombian Andean-Amazonian region.

Las moscas de las flores del género Cepa son endémicas de la región Neotropical y Cepa apeca solo se conoce actualmente en Costa Rica. Aquí reportamos el primer registro de C. apeca en Colombia, basado en una sola hembra recolectada usando una trampa de dosel en un bosque denso secundario en un ecosistema montañoso en la localidad de Vereda San Francisco, município de Florencia-Caquetá, a una altitud de 643 m.s.n.m. Este hallazgo constituye el primer registro del género Cepa en Colombia y amplía el rango geográfico de Cepa apeca en aproximadamente 1.500 km (en línea recta) hacia el sur en Sudamérica. Nuestro hallazgo representa la ocurrencia más austral de la especie y contribuye al conocimiento incipiente sobre la diversidad de dípteros en la región Andino-Amazonica colombiana.

New record of Blepharicnema splendens (Diptera, Calliphoridae, Luciliini) and range expansion in Caquetá, Colombia

Blepharicnema splendens is a dipteran with occurrence restricted to the Neotropical Andean mountain forests from 1,400 to 2,500 masl. We surveyed the species using Van Someren-Rydon traps with decaying fish as bait in four sites (veredas) in the Eastern Cordillera, in the Municipality of Florencia, Caquetá, Colombia. A total of 221 individuals were collected in the four localities. The Vereda Las Brisas had the highest abundance, with 104 specimens (45.4%), followed by El Vergel, 76 (33.2%), Tarqui, 46 (20.1%) and Los Lirios, 2 (0.9%). The record of this species in the mountainous ecosystems of the Department of Caquetá expands the known distribution of B. splendens and adds to the incipient knowledge on the diversity of Diptera in this region. (AU)

Insects of forensic importance associated to cadaveric decomposition in a rural area of the Andean Amazon, Caquetá, Colombia / Insetos de importância forense associados à decomposição cadavérica em uma área rural na Amazônia Andina, Caquetá, Colômbia

ABSTRACT Forensic entomology is a frequently used tool to estimate the time interval between death and the discovery of the corpse. Succession of arthropods associated with cadaveric decomposition was monitored in a rural area of the Municipality of Florencia, Department of Caquetá, Colombia. Three pigs (Sus scrofa) were used as study models. Insect sampling, and monitoring of carcasses and environmental conditions were carried out every five hours. The total time from death to skeletonization was of 545 hours (22.7 days). A total of 30833 insect individuals were collected. Specimens were distributed in nine orders, 46 families, 95 genera and 106 species. Diptera was the most abundant, with 23215 individuals (75.3%), followed by Coleoptera, with 3711 individuals (12%), and Hymenoptera, with 3154 individuals (10.2%). Immature stages of Cochliomyia macellaria, Chrysomya albiceps, Hemilucilia semidiaphana and Ophyra aenescens were the main species involved in tissue consumption and acceleration of the decomposition process. Due to the presence of ants Cheliomyrmex sp., Camponotus sp. and Dinoponera sp., and coleopterans Hister sp., Acylophorus sp. and Philonthus spp., it was not possible to obtain sufficient Diptera egg masses for rearing the colonizing species. These results can be used as a standard to determine the postmortem interval in criminal investigations in the rural area of the Andean Amazon, Caquetá, Colombia.

RESUMO A entomologia forense é uma ferramenta frequentemente utilizada para estimar o intervalo de tempo entre a morte e a descoberta do corpo. Na área rural do município de Florencia, Caquetá, foi monitorada a sucessão de artrópodes associados à decomposição cadavérica, utilizando como modelo de estudo os cadáveres de três porcos (Sus scrofa). A amostragem de insetos e coleta de dados ambientais foram realizadas a cada cinco horas. A duração total do processo desde a morte até a esqueletização foi de 545 horas (22,7 dias). Foram coletados 30833 espécimes de insetos, distribuídos em nove ordens, 46 famílias, 95 gêneros e 106 espécies. Diptera foi o grupo mais representativo, com 23215 indivíduos (75,3%), seguido de Coleoptera, com 3711 indivíduos (12%) e Hymenoptera, com 3154 indivíduos (10,2%). Os estágios imaturos de Cochliomyia macellaria, Chrysomya albiceps, Hemilucilia semidiaphana e Ophyra aenescens foram as principais espécies envolvidas no consumo de tecidos e na aceleração do processo de decomposição. Devido à presença de formigas Cheliomyrmex sp., Camponotus sp. e Dinoponera sp. e de besouros Hister sp., Acylophorus sp. e Philonthus spp., não foi possível obter massas de ovos de Diptera suficientes para a criação de espécies colonizadoras. Nosso estudo fornece subsídios para determinar o intervalo post-mortem em investigações policiais e promover a entomologia forense em uma área rural da Amazônia Andina na Colômbia.

Postmortem interval estimation based on Chrysomya albiceps (Diptera, Calliphoridae) in a forensic case in the Andean Amazon, Caquetá, Colombia / Intervalo pós-morte estimado a partir de Chrysomya albiceps (Diptera, Calliphoridae) em um caso forense na Amazônia Andina, Caquetá, Colômbia

This is the first application of forensic entomology in a case involving a human corpse found in the urban area of the Municipality of Florencia, Caquetá, Colombia, in the Piedemont of the Colombian Amazon. Three days after removing the body from the scene, pupae and puparia were collected and identified as Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann, 1819) (Diptera, Calliphoridae). The postmortem interval was estimated on the basis of previously published data and verified through accumulated degree hours (ADH) and intrapuparial development. The estimated minimum postmortem interval was of 229 hours (9.5 days).

Esta é a primeira aplicação da entomologia forense em um caso envolvendo um cadáver humano encontrado em uma área urbana do Município de Florencia, Caquetá, Colombia, no Piedemonte da Amazônia Colombiana. Três dias após a remoção do corpo da área, pupas e pupários foram coletados e identificados como Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann, 1819) (Diptera, Calliphoridae). O intervalo pós-morte (IPM) foi estimado com base em dados publicados previamente e verificado usando graus-horas acumulados (GHA) e desenvolvimento intrapuparial. O intervalo pós-morte mínimo estimado foi de 229 horas (9.5 dias).

Intra-puparial development of Lucilia eximia (Diptera, Calliphoridae) / Desenvolvimento Intra-pupal de Lucilia eximia (Diptera: Calliphoridae)

There are few studies about the intra-puparial development in Diptera, nonetheless its importance has been increased because several dipteran species are of forensic interest. Studies on the life cycles of flies often disregard the changes that occur inside the pupae. The objectives of this research were to analyze the intra-puparial development of Lucilia eximia, and to describe chronological and morphological changes that occur during this stage. Around 1.600 specimens were laboratory-reared. The pre-pupae were identified by the reduction of their size and change in coloration, and 10 individuals were sampled every three hours (n=1.000) until adult emergence. The specimens were fixed in 96% alcohol, subsequently immersed in Canoy solution for 24 hours and in formic acid (5%) for 48 hours, to facilitate dissection and analysis of the morphological changes of the individuals. Four stages of the intra-pupal development of L. eximia were observed: 1) Larva-pupa apolysis, which lasted 23 ± 1.08 h; 2) Cryptocephalic pupa, 5 ± 0.53 h; 3) Phanerocephalic pupa, 92 ± 1.94 h; and 4) Pharate adult: Transparents eyes, 125 ± 2.15 h; Yellow eyes, 23 ± 0.89 h; Pink eyes, 14 ± 0.73 h; and Red eyes, 20 ± 0.60 h. The pharate adult is completely formed after 296 hours and the emergence of the adult occurred after 302 ± 3.81 h. In addition, there were included the stage of pre-pupa, pupariation and the beginning of the adult stage, Imago and adult emergence. Each stage is described and compared with those described for Chrysomya albiceps (Calliphoridae).

No mundo existem poucos estudos sobre o desenvolvimento intrapupal de Diptera. Comumente, os estudos dos ciclos de vida das espécies de moscas são feitos eliminando o desenvolvimento embrionário que é muito importante, principalmente nas espécies de interesse forense. O principal objetivo foi o de analisar o desenvolvimento intrapupal de Lucilia eximia, descrevendo as mudanças morfológicas que ocorrem durante o desenvolvimento intrapupal. Foram analisados cerca de 1.600 espécimes cultivados em laboratório. Foram analisadas as fases de pré-pupa, pupa, o início da fase adulta, a imago e a emergência. Pré-pupas foram identificadas de acordo com a redução no tamanho e na alteração da coloração. Dez espécimes foram coletados a cada três horas (n=1.000), sem interrupção, até a emergência dos adultos. As pupas foram fixadas em etanol a 96%. Em seguida foram imersas em solução Carnoy por 24 horas e ácido fórmico a 5% por 48 horas para facilitar a dissecação e análises das alterações morfológicas. Foram determinados 4 estágios de desenvolvimento intrapupal. 1) Apólise larva-pupa com duração de 23 ± 1,08 h; 2) Pupa criptocefálica: 5 ± 0,53 h; 3) Pupa fanerocefálica: 92 ± 1,94 h e; 4) Adulto farado: olhos transparentes: 125 ± 2,15 h; olhos amarelos: 23 ± 0,89 h; olhos róseos: 14 ± 0,73 h e olhos vermelhos 20 ± 0,60 h. O adulto farado estava completo após 296 horas e a emergência dos adultos ocorreu com 302 ± 3,81 h. Cada fase foi descrita e comparada com o descrito para Chrysomya albiceps (Calliphoridae).

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-saprophagous. According to Chao and Jack estimators, total richness was observed on day 20, with 100% of the expected species.

A new species of Giovanella Bonatto (Diptera, Calliphoridae, Mesembrinellinae) from Colombia

A new species of Giovanella Bonatto (Diptera, Calliphoridae, Mesembrinellinae) from Colombia. The Mesembrinellinae are exclusively Neotropical, with 33 nominal species distributed in nine genera. Only the genera Mesembrinella, Eumesembrinella, Huascaromusca and Laneella had until now been recorded in Colombia. In this work we present a new species of Giovanella Bonatto, 2005, genus with only one species, G. bolivar Bonatto, differing from the new species G. carvalhoi sp. nov., in the characters: legs entirely dark chestnut; thorax with dorsocentrals setae 1:2; abdomen with T5 with discal bristles poorly differentiated; T6 symmetric and paraphallus not extended and with denticules. Giovanella carvalhoi sp. nov. is from Cordillera Oriental, from the Departments of Caquetá (Amazonian foothills) and Santander, Colombia, collected between 22002400 m., and associated with decomposing organic matter. A key for the identification of males and females of the two species of Giovanella, illustrations of the genitalia and photographs of male and female of new species are also presented.