Bacterial Interactions with Necrophagous Flies

Abstract

Animal remains represent ephemeral resources that provide nutrients to a wide range of organisms. On death, vertebrate carrion is immediately colonized with a variety of microorganisms (typically obligate or facultatively anaerobic bacteria from the air, from insects, or from the corpse itself), which produce odors through the breakdown of tissues, the alteration of volatile chemicals present in the environment, or both. Within minutes, certain necrophagous flies are attracted by these chemical signals, resulting in waves of oviposition and larviposition activity. Although there are certainly detrimental (pathogenic) bacteria in the milieu, there is significant evidence suggesting that the presence of bacteria in or on the corpse seems to aid in larval development and pupariation. This may be because of a change in larval nutrition, with the bacteria either being used as a food source themselves or making nutrients more available to larvae. Maggots also produce and secrete or excrete antimicrobial molecules that are effective in killing certain bacteria. It is unclear whether this is a defensive mechanism, a selective measure to enhance the survival of bacteria beneficial to the larva, or a combination of both. Significant research is still needed to fully appreciate the potential role that these bacteria—insect interactions have in conferring a competitive advantage for surviving in a carrion community.

New Insights Into Culturable and Unculturable Bacteria Across the Life History of Medicinal Maggots Lucilia sericata (Meigen) (Diptera: Calliphoridae)

“…Knowledge of the sensitivity pattern of symbiotic bacteria, for example, P. mirabilis, may be crucial in wound healing and formulating rational antibiotic policy. In insect populations, symbiotic bacteria could be acquired horizontally or vertically and from surrounding environments (Funkhouser and Bordenstein, 2013;Thompson et al, 2013). Association of microbiota in food sources with necrophagous flies has been considered in a few studies (Ahmad et al, 2006;Banjo et al, 2006;Förster et al, 2007;Dharne et al, 2008).…”

Using bacterial and necrophagous insect dynamics for post-mortem interval estimation during cold season: Novel case study in Romania

“…The arrival of Calliphoridae flies during week 15 marked the beginning of the extended post-mortem period by drastically changing the bacterial community structure of both the mouth and the rectum. At this point I. larvae and W. chitiniclastica species began to grow at both sites most likely due to their common association with flies [78][79][80]. Shifts in the structure of the observed bacterial community over time were expected, as a shift in the structure of a microbial community during the decomposition of any resource is typical [4].…”

Genome Sequence of a Proteus mirabilis Strain Isolated from the Salivary Glands of Larval Lucilia sericata

“…Proteus mirabilis is a gut-commensal bacterium associated with human urinary tract infections ( 1 – 4 ) and is a model for cellular communication ( 5 – 8 ). It is found in association with rotting proteinaceous material ( 9 – 13 ), the blow fly Lucilia sericata ( 14 ) (a fly used in maggot therapy [ 15 ]), and other flies associated with decomposing animal remains and animal wounds ( 9 , 13 ). There are several reasons to hypothesize a commensal relationship between these species.…”