Examination of Nocturnal Oviposition by Chrysomya putoria (Diptera: Calliphoridae) in Brazil.

This is the first study in Brazil that monitored the nocturnal oviposition behavior of Chrysomya putoria, a species of forensic importance, in order to verify if individuals of this species oviposit at night. Groups of 10 flies (5 male and 5 female) distributed in ten cages were kept in a fume hood and submitted to total darkness or exposed to artificial light for eleven consecutive hours through four experimental conditions in the laboratory. Two verifications were made to see if the females oviposited in the offered substrate of about 20 g of chicken gizzard per cage. Verification 1 occurred at 09:00 pm in the evening experiments and at 09:00 am in the daytime experiments. Verification 2 occurred at 05:00 am in the night experiments and at 05:00 pm in the daytime experiments. Each experiment lasted 5 d. C. putoria laid eggs at night (with or without light) and the quantity of eggs was significantly similar to those produced during the day under natural light or in total darkness. Only the amount of eggs produced during the day in the absence of light was considerably greater than in the typical daytime period. The females oviposited in greater quantity in the nights when the average temperature was between 23 and 24.8°C and relative humidity above 81%. Ovipositions only occurred at temperatures above 21°C and humidity above 56% during the day. Finally, it is necessary that more evaluations on the effect of variables on blowfly behavior are performed to better understand nocturnal oviposition.

The Nocturnal Ovipositon Behavior of Chrysomya megacephala (Diptera: Calliphoridae) in Brazil and Its Forensic Implications.

Chrysomya megacephala (Fab. 1794) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) is a very important species for forensic entomology, mainly contributing estimations of the postmortem interval (PMI) in judicial investigations. There are some doubts about the nocturnal oviposition of these flies, which could lead to errors in the PMI calculation. This study aimed to monitor the nocturnal oviposition behavior of this species through four experimental conditions carried out in laboratory. Ten cages, each containing five males and females (n = 100), were kept in a fume hood and subjected to total darkness or to artificial light for 11 consecutive hours. Two verifications were performed to determine whether the females deposited eggs on the substrate of ~20 g of chicken gizzards per cage. The first verification occurred at 9:00 pm in nocturnal experiments and at 09:00 am in diurnal experiments. The second verification occurred at 05:00 am in nocturnal experiments and at 05:00 pm in diurnal experiments. Each experiment lasted 5 d. Chrysomya megacephala deposited eggs at night under artificial light and in total darkness, but the amount of eggs was significantly lower when compared with the daytime experiments in dark conditions and under natural light. Oviposition occurred when the average temperature was around 25°C (± 2°C) and relative humidity around 73% (± 6%). Night oviposition is a possibility which should not be ruled out. Thus, future experiments are recommended.

Recovery & identification of human Y-STR DNA from immatures of chrysomya albiceps (Diptera: Calliphoridae). Simulation of sexual crime investigation involving victim corpse in state of decay.

The number of sexual crimes in Brazil, as in several other countries, is very high. In many of these crimes the women raped are murdered and their bodies are found days later, in an advanced state of decomposition, with intense cadaverous fauna. Forensic Entomology studies insects and other arthropods that can be used in the expert analysis of various types of crimes. Diptera, the order of insects that comprises the two-winged or true flies, represents one of the largest known groups of insects and is the principal source of cadaveric entomofauna. Members of its Calliphoridae family are observed in cadavers in all phases of decomposition. The retrieval and identification of human Y-STR DNA from the gastrointestinal tract of Calliphoridae species Chrysomya albiceps maggots and pupae can provide a good tool for the gathering of evidence in sexual crime investigations involving rape and death, in which the abandoned victim's body is found in a putrefied state. In this study, the animal model used was a female pig, Sus scrofa, which was sacrificed in a forested area with three shots from a 0.40 calibre Taurus pistol, and inoculated with semen to its anal and vaginal regions, simulating rape and homicide. During decomposition, 20-80 maggots were collected every 24 h and preserved in 70 % alcohol, totalling 289 maggots and 157 pupae (446 immatures) over a period of 14 days (336 h) of decomposition. Each maggot was then dissected for removal of the digestive tract, which was placed in extraction buffer. The molecular phase proceeded with extraction, quantification, amplification and capillary electrophoresis of samples, testing 16 STR loci of the Y chromosome. It was possible to establish a partial Y-STR DNA profile, with the amplification of up to eight sites, by considering a combination of the samples taken at hours 144 h, 168 h, 192 h, 216 h, 240 h, 288 h, 312 h and 336 h.

Insects Associated with Pig Carrion in Two Environments of the Brazilian Savanna.

Studies of carrion fauna have increased in Brazil and have contributed to the knowledge of this fauna in the national territory. Brazil has continental dimensions and presents various biomes in its territorial area. Most of the carrion fauna have seldom been studied, and this is especially true for the Savanna or "Cerrado." The present research examined the fauna visiting carrion in two environments and two seasons in a rural area situated in a region of Cerrado in southeastern Brazil. The two environments studied were a pasture and a fragment of semi-deciduous forest. Samples were collected during the dry and humid seasons of the year. The study identified the diversity and relative abundance of species attracted to pig carcasses (Sus scrofa L.) exposed in each environment and season. Eight pig carcasses (10 ± 1 kg) were placed in traps, and adult insects attracted to the traps were collected during the decay of the carcasses. A total of 92,489 insects were collected during the experiments. The Diptera was the most frequent order (92.2%) represented by 27 families and at least 124 species. This was followed by Coleoptera (4.4%) represented by 14 families and at least 65 species. Sarcophagidae had the greatest diversity of species, followed by Muscidae and Calliphoridae. Several species were collected only during a specific period of the year or in a single environment. The results are important from an ecological point of view and for Medico-Legal Forensic Entomology.

Differential Diptera succession patterns onto partially burned and unburned pig carrion in southeastern Brazil.

In the present contribution we compared the entomological succession pattern of a burned carcass with that of an unburned one. For that, we used domestic pig carcasses and focused on Calliphoridae, Muscidae and Sarcophagidae flies, because they are the ones most commonly used in Postmortem Interval estimates. Adult and immature flies were collected daily. A total of 27 species and 2,498 specimens were collected, 1,295 specimens of 26 species from the partially burned carcass and 1,203 specimens of 22 species from the control carcass (unburned). The species composition in the two samples differed, and the results of the similarity measures were 0.875 by Sorensen and 0.756 by Bray-Curtis index. The results obtained for both carcasses also differ with respect to the decomposition process, indicating that the post mortem interval would be underestimated if the entomological succession pattern observed for a carcass under normal conditions was applied to a carbonized carcass.

A peculiar new Helina Robineau-Desvoidy (Diptera: Muscidae) from Mexico and Panama.

Helina sinaloensis n. sp. (Diptera: Muscidae) is described and illustrated from Mexico and Panama. The new species shows a unique combination of characters and can be distinguished from the other species of the genus by the prosternum with lateral cilia, pre-alar seta absent, anepimeron bare, katepimeron setulose, postalar wall setulose and scutellum with setulae on lateroventral margin.

The impact of industrial anthropization on mosquito (Diptera, Culicidae) communities in mangrove areas of Guanabara Bay (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil).

The effects of industrial anthropization on species composition and community diversity of Culicidae (Diptera) were studied in a mangrove area impacted by industrial activities as compared to a preserved area, both around Guanabara Bay in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Diversity, equitability, and species richness in Culicidae community differed between the studied areas. Indicator species analysis and correspondence analysis were carried out and indicated that the Sabethini, especially Wyeomyia (Phoniomyia) theobaldi Lane, Wyeomyia (Phoniomyia) fuscipes (Edwards), and a non-identified species of Wyeomyia sp. were associated to the preserved area, whereas Aedes taeniorhynchus Wiedemann and Aedes scapularis (Rondani) to the impacted area.

First record of the avian ectoparasite Philornis downsi Dodge & Aitken, 1968 (Diptera: Muscidae) in Argentina.

Species of Philornis Meinert, 1890 (Diptera, Muscidae) are Neotropical dipterans that include species with parasitic larvae which feed on nestling birds. To date, all Philornis species that have been recorded from Argentina have parasitic subcutaneous larvae. Here, for the first time for Argentina, we report the finding of Philornis downsi Dodge & Aitken, 1968, a fly with a nest-dwelling, semi-haematophagous larva. This record, from the humid Chaco ecoregion of Argentina in the nest of a saffron finch Sicalis flaveola pelzelni Sclater, substantially extends the known distribution of this species. We also report the consensus sequences of the internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) and ITS2 regions of three of the specimens for future reference and comparison. Further investigation is needed to determine whether Argentina is part of the historical range of P. downsi or, alternatively, represents a recent expansion of its range, perhaps due to climatic changes or other factors of global environmental variation.

Graphomya Robineau-Desvoidy from Costa Rica: descriptions and first records (Diptera, Muscidae).

Graphomya Robineau-Desvoidy (Diptera, Muscidae) occurs in temperate and tropical regions of the world. It is known in the Neotropical Region from fifteen species. The genus is here recorded for the first time from Costa Rica, on the basis of three species: G. auriceps Malloch, 1934; G. mexicana Giglio-Tos, 1893 and G. tropicalis Malloch, 1934. A key for the recognition of these three species is given. G. auriceps is redescribed, including the morphology of male and female terminalia and the male of G. tropicalis is described for the first time. For G. mexicana, a well-known species in the literature, only a brief diagnosis and the material examined are listed.

Graphomya Robineau-Desvoidy from Costa Rica: descriptions and first records (Diptera, Muscidae) / Graphomya Robineau-Desvoidy da Costa Rica: descrições e primeiros registros (Diptera, Muscidae)

Graphomya Robineau-Desvoidy (Diptera, Muscidae) occurs in temperate and tropical regions of the world. It is known in the Neotropical Region from fifteen species. The genus is here recorded for the first time from Costa Rica, on the basis of three species: G. auriceps Malloch, 1934; G. mexicana Giglio-Tos, 1893 and G. tropicalis Malloch, 1934. A key for the recognition of these three species is given. G. auriceps is redescribed, including the morphology of male and female terminalia and the male of G. tropicalis is described for the first time. For G. mexicana, a well-known species in the literature, only a brief diagnosis and the material examined are listed.

Graphomya Robineau-Desvoidy (Diptera, Muscidae) ocorre em regiões temperadas e tropicais do mundo. É conhecido na Região Neotropical por quinze espécies. O gênero é aqui registrado, pela primeira vez, para a Costa Rica, através da presença de três espécies: G. auriceps Malloch, 1934; G. mexicana Giglio-Tos, 1893 e G. tropicalis Malloch, 1934. É fornecida uma chave para a segregação destas três espécies. G. auriceps é redescrita, incluindo a morfologia da terminália do macho e da fêmea e o macho de G. tropicalis é descrito pela primeira vez. Para G. mexicana, uma espécie bem conhecida na literatura, uma breve diagnose e a lista do material examinado são listados.

Parasitoidism of Chalcidid wasps (Hymenoptera, Chalcididae) on Philornis sp. (Diptera, Muscidae).

Philornis Meinert larvae are known as parasites of birds, with coprophagous, semi-hematophagous or hematophagous habits. Biological data of the larvae of the fifty described species are still scarcely known. Here we describe some aspects of the parasitism of a species of Philornis on Thalurania glaucopis Gmelin (Trochilidae) and record two species of Chalcididae (Hymenoptera) parasitoids, Conura annulifera (Walker, 1864) and Brachymeria podagrica (Fabricius, 1787), reared from Philornis puparia.

Parasitoidism of Chalcidid wasps (Hymenoptera, Chalcididae) on Philornis sp. (Diptera, Muscidae)

As larvas de Philornis Meinert são conhecidas como parasitas de aves, com hábitos coprófagos, semi-hematófagos ou hematófagos. Dados biológicos das larvas das 50 espécies descritas são ainda pouco conhecidos. Aqui são descritos alguns aspectos do parasitismo de uma espécie de Philornis em Thalurania glaucopis Gmelin (Trochilidae) e duas espécies parasitóides de Chalcididae (Hymenoptera), Conura annulifera (Walker, 1864) e Brachymeria podagrica (Fabricius, 1787) que emergiram de pupários de Philornis sp. são registradas.

An illustrated key to adult males of neotropical Fannia Robineau-Desvoidy belonging to pusio sub-group (Diptera, Fanniidae)

As onze espécies neotropicais de Fannia pertencentes ao subgrupo pusio (grupo canicularis), são chaveadas – F. dodgei Seago; F. femoralis (Stein); F. pamplonae Couri & Araújo; F. parafemoralis Araújo & Couri; F. paraisensis Araújo & Couri; F. punctivervis Malloch; F. pusio (Wiedemann); F. sabroskyi Seago; F. snyderi Seago; F. trimaculata (Stein); F. trimaculatoides Couri & Pamplona. A chave é direcionada apenas para os machos e as ilustrações auxiliam na visualização dos caracteres.

New data on Philornis seguyi Garcia (1952)(Diptera, Muscidae)

Philornis Meinert é um gênero muito interessante de Muscidae (Diptera), com larvas associadas a várias espécies de aves. Philornis seguyi Garcia (1952) foi descrita da Argentina e, até o momento, apenas a descrição da fêmea e a sua associação com uma espécie de aves eram conhecidas. Durante as estações de procriação nos anos de 2000-2002, exemplares de Philornis foram coletados em seis espécies de aves na província de Buenos Aires, Argentina. Todos os exemplares foram identificados como P. seguyi. O material coletado ensejou a descrição da larva, pupário, macho adulto, e terminália do macho e da fêmea. Todas as associações com hospedeiros assinaladas - Mimus saturninus (Mimidae), Troglodytes aedon (Troglodytidae), Pitangus sulfuratus (Tyrannidae), Pyrocephalus rubinus (Tyrannidae), Satrapa icterophrys (Tyrannidae), e Molothrus bonariensis (Icteridae) em ninhos de M. saturninus e Troglodytes aedon, são novas para P. seguyi. Dados sobre a biologia desta espécie também são apresentados.

An illustrated key to adult males of neotropical Fannia Robineau-Desvoidy belonging to pusio sub-group (Diptera, Fanniidae).

The 11 neotropical species of Fannia belonging to the pusio sub-group (canicularis group), are keyed F. dodgei Seago; F. femoralis (Stein); F. pamplonae Couri & Araújo; F. parafemoralis Araújo & Couri; F. paraisensis Araújo & Couri; F. punctivervis Malloch; F. pusio (Wiedemann); F. sabroskyi Seago; F. snyderi Seago; F. trimaculata (Stein); F. trimaculatoides Couri & Pamplona. The key is addressed only to the males and the illustrations help in the visualization of the characters.

New data on Philornis seguyi Garcia (1952) (Diptera, Muscidae).

Philornis Meinert is a very interesting Muscidae (Diptera) genus whose larvae are associated with a wide range of bird species. The existing description of Philornis seguyi Garcia (1952), which was reported in Argentina, so far involves only the female. During the 2000-2002 breeding seasons, we collected Philornis flies from six bird species in Buenos Aires province, Argentina. All the flies were identified as P. seguyi. Based on this material, we describe the larva, puparium, adult male, and male and female terminalia. All the host associations presented here--Mimus saturninus (Mimidae), Troglodytes aedon (Troglodytidae), Pitangus sulfuratus (Tyrannidae), Pyrocephalus rubinus (Tyrannidae), Satrapa icterophrys (Tyrannidae) and Molothrus bonariensis (Icteridae) in nests of M. saturninus and Troglodytes aedon--are new for P. seguyi. We also present some data on the biology of the species.

Two new species of Fannia Robineau-Desvoidy (Diptera, Fanniidae)

Fannia Robineau-Desvoidy é conhecida por apresentar 63 espécies neotropicais, 24 delas com ocorrência no Estado do Rio de Janeiro, sendo que duas novas espécies procedentes desse Estado foram acrescidas aos gêneros: F. tibialis, sp. n. e F. unica, sp. n. São descritos os exemplares machos de ambas as espécies, cujos caracteres morfológicos e terminália são ilustrados. Também é apresentada breve discussão sobre cada uma das novas espécies.

A new Notoschoenomyza Malloch and a key to the species (Diptera, Muscidae, Coenosiinae)

Nova espécie de Notoschoenomyza Malloch, N. diminuta sp. nov. do Chile, é descrita, as terminálias de macho e fêmea são ilustradas e uma chave para identificação de todas as espécies de Notoschoenomyza é apresentada.

Two new species of Fannia Robineau-Desvoidy (Diptera, Fanniidae).

Fannia Robineau-Desvoidy is known from 63 neotropical species, 24 of them with occurence in Rio de Janeiro State. Two new species from Rio de Janeiro State are added to the genus: F. tibialis, sp. n and F. unica, sp. n. Male specimens of both are described. Morphological characters and terminalia are illustrated. Each species is briefly discussed.

A new Notoschoenomyza Malloch and a key to the species (Diptera, Muscidae, Coenosiinae).

A new species of Notoschoenomyza Malloch, N. diminuta sp. nov. from Chile, is described and the male and female terminalia are illustrated. A key to the identification of all Notoschoenomyza species is presented.