Sarchophagid flies (Insecta, Diptera) from pig carcasses in Minas Gerais, Brazil, with nine new records from the Cerrado, a threatened Neotropical biome

Sarchophagid flies (Insecta, Diptera) from pig carcasses in Minas Gerais, Brazil, with nine new records from the Cerrado, a threatened Neotropical biome. The diversity of the Sarcophagidae fauna of the Cerrado biome, also know as the Brazilian Savanna, is still underestimated. In this research we collected flies in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, during a Forensic Entomology experiment. Samples were collected throughout the decomposition process of domestic pig (Sus scrofa Linnaeus) carcasses, and the experiments were conducted in areas of pasture and semideciduous forest. A total of 85,694 adult flesh flies belonging to 57 species were collected from all carcasses. New records for nine species of Sarcophaginae are provided, including the first record of Blaesoxipha (Acridiophaga) caridei (Brèthes, 1906) to Brazil, and new occurrences of the following species for the Cerrado and/or for the state of Minas Gerais: Blaesoxipha (Acanthodotheca) acridiophagoides (Lopes & Downs, 1951), Malacophagomyia filamenta (Dodge, 1964), Nephochaetopteryx orbitalis (Curran & Walley, 1934), Nephochaetopteryx cyaneiventris Lopes, 1936, Nephochaetopteryx pallidiventris Townsend, 1934, Oxysarcodexia occulta Lopes, 1946, Ravinia effrenata (Walker, 1861) and Sarcophaga (Neobellieria) polistensis (Hall, 1933).

Taxa de desenvolvimento de Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) em dieta artificial acrescida de tecido animal para uso forense / Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) developmental rate on artificial diet with animal tissues for forensic purpose

A entomologia forense utiliza dados biológicos e ecológicos de insetos necrófagos com o objetivo de auxiliar as investigações criminais, na estimativa do intervalo pós-morte (IPM) ou na descoberta da causa da morte. Trabalhos recentes têm demonstrado que a presença de toxinas nos tecidos em decomposição pode alterar a taxa de desenvolvimento de insetos que usam esse recurso. Assim, testes preliminares usando dietas artificiais em laboratório são necessários para a criação de um banco de dados como padrão para investigar e quantificar as possíveis modificações em insetos coletados da cena criminal, para não gerar dados imprecisos sobre o IPM. No presente estudo objetivou-se avaliar a taxa de desenvolvimento de imaturos de Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann) criados em diferentes substratos: a) dietas artificiais contendo tecido de origem animal: fígado (D1), músculo moído (D2) e rúmen (D3) bovinos, além de coração de frango (D4); b) dieta sem tecido animal (D5) e; c) um grupo controle (C), somente em carne bovina. A eficiência de cada substrato foi observada pelo ganho de massa dos imaturos, tempo de desenvolvimento larval, sobrevivência larval e pupal, intervalo de emergência e tamanho dos adultos. As dietas D1 a D4 não restringiram o desenvolvimento larval de C. albiceps, no entanto, D1 e D2 apresentaram baixa emergência de adultos. D3 e o grupo controle foram muito similares em relação a alguns fatores de eficiência (taxa e intervalo de emergência). Assim, o uso da dieta D3, dieta artifical mais rúmen de bovinos é o mais recomendado.

Forensic entomology uses biological and ecological aspects of necrophagous insects to help in criminal investigations to estimate the post-mortem interval (PMI) or to determine the cause of death. Recent papers demonstrated that the presence of toxins in decomposing tissues may alter the insect developmental rate of insects exploiting such tissues as food. Thus, preliminary tests with artificial diets in laboratory are necessary to create a database to investigate and quantify the modifications that can occur with the collected insects from a criminal scene, avoiding any errors on the PMI estimates. The present study aimed to evaluate the developmental rate of Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann) reared on: a) artificial diets containing animal tissues: bovine liver (D1), raw muscle (D2), stomach (D3), and chicken heart (D4); b) artificial diet without animal tissue (D5); and c) a control group (C), which had only meat. The efficiency of each substrate was assessed by immature weight gain (mg), larval developmental time, larval and pupal survival, emergence interval and adult size. D1 to D4 diets did not restrict C. albiceps development; however, larvae reared on D1 and D2 diets presented a lower adult emergence rate. D3 and control group showed similarities regarding the efficiency parameters (rate and emergence interval). Thus, the use of diet D3, artificial diet with stomach, is the most recommended.

Malignant tumor affects the developmental pattern of feeding larvae of Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann) and Chrysomya putoria (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Calliphoridae)

Larvae of Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann) and Chrysomya putoria (Wiedemann) were reared on liver tissues from a rabbit that had a malignant tumor in the thoracic cavity. Larval rearing of both blowfly species was conducted at ambient temperature. Larvae that fed on tissues from the rabbit with the tumor developed at significantly faster rates than those feeding on tissues from the control animal.

Larvas de Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann) e Chrysomya putoria (Wiedemann) foram criadas em temperatura ambiente em fígado de coelhos sadios e em fígado de coelho que apresentava tumor na região torácica. Ambas as espécies expostas ao fígado do coelho com patogenia desenvolveram-se significativamente mais rápido que as demais.

First description of the immature stages of Hemilucilia segmentaria (Diptera: Calliphoridae)

The immature stages oí Hemilucilia segmentaria (Fabricius, 1805) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) are described. Egg morphology and structures such as the cephalopharyngeal skeleton, anterior and posterior spiracles, and the dorsal spines between the prothorax and mesothorax from first, second and third instar larvae are characterized, using light and scanning electron microscopy. This species is abundant in Neotropical forests and, because of its necrophagous behavior, is of substantial medico-legal importance for estimating the postmortem interval in criminal investigations. Information presented herein may be useful to differentiate among eggs and larvae of closely related species and to supplement the database for blowfly identification.

Species composition and seasonal succession of saprophagous calliphorids in a rural area of Córdoba: Argentina

During 2004, four experiments were carried out, one each season, in order to determine the species composition and seasonal dynamics of Calliphoridae in a rural area of C¢rdoba (Argentina). Two pigs (Sus seroja L.), weighing approximately 8 Kg each, were used in each experiment. They were killed with a blow to the head and immediately placed in a variant of the Schoenly et al. (1991) trap. One pig was exposed in the shade and the other one under direct sunlight. The insect fauna was collected daily during the four first weeks and every two or three days thereafter. A total of 16.609 adults of Calliphoridae were collected, and later on identified as one of the following seven species: Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann), Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius), Phaenicia sericata (Meigen), Phaenicia eximia (Wiedemann), Cochliomyia macellaria (Fabricius), Sarconesia chlorogaster (Wiedemann) and Calliphora vicina Robineau-Desvoidy. C. albiceps was the dominant species in summer, autumn and spring, being replaced in winter by C. vicina, S. chlorogaster and P. sericata. The analysis of the seasonal distribution of the species revealed that the greater incidences are in the months of summer, autumn and spring.

Coleoptera associated with undisturbed cow pats in pastures in Southeastern Brazil

Coleoptera associated to undisturbed cattle droppings in pastures present great diversity and abundance. Several species are of primary veterinary importance for they may act as natural enemies of pest insects that breed in this habitat. To survey the diversity and abundance of Coleoptera associated to undisturbed cattle droppings, four undisturbed cattle dung pats naturally dropped in pastures and 5 cm of the soil immediately beneath them were collected almost all weekly from april 1992 to april 1994 in a farm located in the vicinity of São Carlos, State of São Paulo, Southeastern Brazil. Beetles were collected from the pats both using Berlese funnels and by allowing the beetles to emerge for 30 to 40 days. A total of 24,332 specimens belonging to 13 beetle families and at least 66 species were identified. The most abundant and diverse families were Aphodiidae, Staphylinidae and Scarabaeidae. In general, the Coleoptera were more abundant in the warmer and wet period, from October to March, with a few exceptions. The importance of the beetles, both as horn fly natural enemies and as cattle dung decaying agents, is discussed.

Coleoptera associados a fezes de gado bovino excretadas no pasto apresentam grande diversidade e abundância, e várias espécies são de importância veterinária por serem inimigos naturais de insetos-praga que se criam nesse tipo de substrato. Para se fazer um levantamento da abundância e diversidade dos Coleoptera associados a fezes bovinas no pasto, quatro massas fecais inteiras e 5 cm do solo imediatamente abaixo delas foram coletados semanalmente na maioria das vezes, de abril de 1992 a abril de 1994. As coletas foram feitas numa fazenda localizada nas proximidades da cidade de São Carlos, região central do estado de São Paulo. Os besouros foram extraídos das fezes com funis de Berlese, e também mantendo as fezes em recipientes cobertos com organza por 30 a 40 dias, coletando os besouros que emergissem. O total de 24.332 espécimes pertencentes a 13 famílias de besouros, e pelo menos 66 espécies foram identificadas. As famílias mais abundantes foram Aphodiidae, Staphylinidae and Scarabaeidae. Em geral, os besouros foram mais abundantes durante o período quente e úmido, de outubro a março, com algumas exceções. A importância dos besouros, tanto como inimigos naturais da mosca-dos-chifres como agentes da decomposição de massas fecais de bovinos é discutida.

Caamembecaia gratiosus n. gen., n. sp. (Acari: Trombiculidae), from Trinomys gratiosus (Gunter) (Rodentia: Echimydae), of Atlantic Forest in Southeastern Brazil

From June 1999 to May 2001, small mammals were captured in three areas of the Atlantic Forest in Southeastern Brazil and examined for ectoparasites. Analysis of ectoparasites revealed the presence of a new chigger genus and species, Caamembecaia gratiosus, from Trinomys gratiosus. This is the first record of a chigger from T. gratiosus.

The value of PCR-RFLP molecular markers for the differentiation of immature stages of two necrophagous flies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) of potential forensic importance

A identificação de insetos envolvidos na decomposição de corpos é de suma importância para a estimativa do intervalo pós-morte (IPM) na ciência forense, particularmente quando o IPM baseia-se no ciclo de vida de insetos necrófagos. Entretanto, a identificação de algumas espécies de insetos, especialmente em seus estágios imaturos, pode ser complicada por muitos fatores, mesmo para taxonomistas bem treinados. Espécies do mesmo gênero como Hemilucilia segmentaria (Fabricius) e Hemilucilia semidiaphana (Rondani) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) são morfológica e comportamentalmente muito similares, mas diferem em suas taxas de crescimento e maturação. Essas espécies são abundantes em florestas, exclusivamente necrófagas e, portanto, de potencial importância médico-legal para a estimativa do IPM em eventos criminais que possam ocorrer nessas áreas. Neste estudo, avaliou-se a utilidade da reação em cadeia da polimerase, associada ao polimorfismo baseado no comprimento do fragmento de restrição (PCR-RFLP), na diferenciação dessas duas espécies. Duas regiões específicas do DNA mitocondrial, a subunidade I da Citocromo oxidase (COI) e a região controle (RC) foram amplificadas por PCR e digeridas usando endonucleases de restrição. Os padrões de clivagem gerados pelas endonucleases DraI e SspI foram apropriados para diferenciar as duas espécies de Hemilucilia. Esse método pode ser útil no trabalho do entomologista forense na estimativa do IPM por fornecer rápida identificação, além disso, pode ser aplicado a qualquer estágio de vida dos insetos, incluindo imaturos, e em qualquer condição de preservação (mortos ou vivos).

The identification of insect species involved in corpses decomposition is of particular importance in estimating the post-mortem interval (PMI) in forensic science, since the PMI is based on information about the life cycle of necrophagous insects. However, the identification of some insect species, especially in their immature stages, may be complicated by many factors, even for experienced taxonomists. Species of the same genus such as Hemilucilia segmentaria (Fabricius) and H. semidiaphana (Rondani) (Diptera:Calliphoridae) are morphologically and behaviorally very similar, but differ in their growth and maturationrates. These species are abundant in forests, exclusively necrophagous and, therefore, are of potential medicolegal importance for estimating the PMI in criminal events that would take place in those areas. In this study, we assessed the usefulness of polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) in the differentiation of these two species. Two specific regions of mitochondrial DNA, the Cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) and the control region (CR), were amplified by PCR and digested usingrestriction endonucleases. The cleavage patterns generated by the endonucleases DraI and SspI were suitable for differentiating the two Hemilucilia species. This method can be helpful for the forensic entomologist inestimating the PMI because it provides a fast identification, also making possible the use of the insect at any life stage, including immature specimens, regardless of the conditions of preservation (dead or live specimens).

Synanthropy of Muscidae (Diptera) in the city of Valdivia, Chile / Sinantropia de Muscidae (Diptera) na cidade de Valdivia, Chile

O objetivo do presente trabalho foi determinar o índice de sinantropia de adultos de espécies de Muscidae coletados em Valdivia, Chile (39°48’S; 73°15’W). Moscas adultas foram coletadas mensalmente entre setembro 1996 e agosto 1997 em três locais representado os ambientes urbano, rurale natural. Carcaças de rato, vísceras de galinha e vísceras de peixe foram utilizadas como isca. Foram coletadas seis espécies de Muscidae: Psilochaeta chalybea (Wiedemann) foi a espécie mais abundante nas áreas rural e urbana, sendo considerada hemissinantrópica. A segunda espécie em abundância foi Hydrotaea acuta (Stein), sendo hemissinantrópica, ocorrendo com mais freqüência no ambiente natural. Ophyra ignava (Harris) foi outra espécie coletada em números relativamente altos, apresentando um comportamento eussinantrópico. As três espécies restantes, Musca domestica L., Palpibracus valdiviensis (Couri & Pamplona), e Muscina stabulans (Fallén) foram capturadas em pequeno número. Foram determinados e discutidos os índices de sinantropia, as abundâncias mensais e a eficiência dasiscas utilizadas na atração das moscas, bem como a importância médico-sanitária das espécies mais importantes.

The objective of the present study was to determine the index of synanthropy of adults of Muscidae species collected in Valdivia, Chile (39°48’S; 73°15’W). The flies were collected monthly between September 1996 and August 1997 at three different locations, representing urban, rural and natural environments. Rat carcasses, chicken viscera, and fish viscera were used as bait. Six species of Muscidae were collected: Psilochaeta chalybea (Wiedemann) was dominant in urban and rural habitats, being eusynanthropic. The second species in importance was Hydrotaea acuta (Stein), being hemisynanthropic and more abundant in the natural environment. Ophyra ignava (Harris) was another species captured in relatively large numbers, and showing eusynanthropic characteristic. The remaining three species, Musca domestica L., Palpibracus valdiviensis (Couri & Pamplona), and Mu scinastabulans (Fallén) were captured in low numbers. In addition to the indexes of synanthropy, monthly abundances were determined and discussed, as well as the efficiency of the different baits used to collect the flies. The medical and sanitary importance of the flies was also assessed.

Sinantropia de los Calliphoridae (Diptera) de Valdívia, Chile / Synanthropy of the Calliphoridae (Diptera) from Valdívia, Chile

The objective of this study was to determine synathropic index of adult Calliphoridae (Diptera) collected in the city of Valdívia, Chile (39°48 S; 73°15 ' W). For this, samples were taken monthly between September 1996 and August 1997 in three different localities representing urban, rural and natural environments. Rat carcass, fish , and chicken viscera were used as baits. Four blowfly species were collected: Calliphora vicina Robineau-Desvoidy, the dominant species in all three baits and sites of capture, followed by Lucilia sericata (Meigen), both species being eusynanthropic. The other two species, Compsomyiops fulvicrura (Robineau-Desvoidy) and Sarconesia magellanica (Le Guillou), were collected in smaller numbers and were characterized respectively as hemysinanthropic and asynanthropic. In addition to the synanthropic index, the monthly abundance and the efficiency of the baits as attractans to the flies as well as their medical and sanitary importance were also determined and discussed.

O objetivo do presente trabalho foi determinar o índice de sinantropia de adultos de Calliphoridae (Diptera) coletados na cidade de Valdívia, Chile (39°48' S; 73°15' W). As moscas foram coletadas mensalmente entre setembro de 1996 e agosto de 1997 em três localidades diferentes, representando os ambientes urbano, rural e natural. Carcaças de ratos albinos, vísceras de peixe e de galinha foram usadas como iscas. Quatro espécies de Calliphoridae foram capturadas: Calliphora vicina Robineau-Desvoidy a espécie dominante nas três iscas e nos três locais de coleta, seguida por Lucilia sericata (Meigen). Ambas as espécies foram consideradas como sinantrópicas. As outras duas espécies, Compsomyiops fulvicrura (Robineau-Desvoidy) e Sarconesia magellanica (Le Guillou), forams coletadas em menor número tendo sido consideradas respectivamente como hemissinanstrópica e assinantrópica. Além do índice de sinantropia, foram também determinadas a abundância mensal e a eficiência das iscas na atração das moscas, assim como foi avaliada a importância médico-sanitária das moscas.

Artrópodes associados a massas fecais bovinas no Sul do Estado de Goiás / Arthropods associated with bovine dung pats in Southern Goiás State, Brazil

Realizou-se um estudo sobre a fauna de artrópodes associada às fezes bovinas em Goiás, de janeiro a dezembro de 1998. O objetivo foi verificar a freqüência dos Coleoptera, Diptera, Hymenoptera e Macrochelidae (Acarina) considerados importantes no processo de degradação das fezes bovinas nas pastagens e no controle de Diptera. Vinte placas fecais bovinas foram coletadas aleatoriamente, a cada mês, com oito dias de idade, colocadas em recipientes plásticos e levadas ao laboratório. Os artrópodes foram obtidos pelo método de flutuação em água. Foram coletados 52 espécies de artrópodes em 10 famílias, incluindo, 24 Coleoptera (três famílias), 12 Diptera (três famílias), 10 Hymenoptera (três famílias) e seis Macrochelidae (Acarina).

A study of the arthropod fauna from bovine dung pats in the State of Goiás, Brazil, was carried out from January to December, 1998. Twenty samples of bovine dung were taken at random, each month, from eight day old pats, placed in plastic containers and taken to the laboratory. The arthropods were extracted by flotation in water in order to determine the frequency of Coleoptera, Diptera, Hymenoptera and Macrochelidae (Acarina) considered important in the degradation of cattle dung, and in the control of dung flies. Fifty two arthropod species belonging to 10 families were collected: 20 of Coleoptera (three families), 12 of Diptera (three families), 10 of Hymenoptera (three families) and six of Macrochelidae (Acarina).

Batflies parasitic on some phyllostomid bats in southeastern Brazil: parasitism rates and host-parasite relationships

Ectoparasitic batflies were studied on 12 species of phyllostomid bats, by making 35 nightly collections of bats using mist nets at the "Panga" Ecological Reservation near Uberlândia, State of Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil, from August 1989 to July 1990. Eleven species of species of Streblidae and one of Nycteribiidae were collected on 12 species of bats. Prevalence of ectoparasitic flies was lower than those reported by other outrors for the New World and may be the result of the lack of caves in the study area, causing bats to roost in less favorable locations, forming smaller colonies. The fly, Trichobius joblingi Wenzel, was found on Carollia perspicillata (Linnaeus), showing preference for adult male bats. This could be explained by the predominance of males in the bat colonies, and by the fact that females rest in isolation during the reproductive period making them less exposed to the parasites. The streblid flies, Aspidoptera falcata Wenzel and Megistropoda proxima (Séguy), were found on Sturnira lilium (Geoffroy). A. falcata occurred mainly on young and adult females, whereas M. proxima did not show any preferences relative to the reproductive condition of the host. Ecological factors are important in determining differential numbers of parasites occurring on the different sexes, ages and reproductive state of the hosts.