Blow Flies (Calliphoridae) in Alaska

Abstract

consists of a strip of rubber one-eighth of an inch thick, three inches long, and one and one-half inches wide. It is stapled to the screen, receives a straightwalled vial or an aspirating tube, and is self-closing.For mid-limb feedinps the cage can be opened, worked over the foliage, and when in position snapped shut over the limb. For terminal feedings, a wire or a cord may be attached from the free end of the cage to an upper limb; the cord supports the cage and so allows the foliage to be centred. For host range studies in the insectary, herbaceous plants from cherry orchards are grown in flower pots and the feeding cage clamped around them.Sometimes large numbers of insects must be used for more than one feeding. In such cases the insects in the cage are anaesthetized, removed, and placed in a second feeding cage. Anaesthesia is accomplished by wrapping a sheet of oilcloth around the cage and inserting a piece of ether-soaked cotton through the insertion valve. If it is necessarv to kill the insects, cyanide preparations may be employed in the same way. ' Cages must be well aerated after the use of cvanide.T h e points of superiority of the bi-valve type of insect feeding cage over the others that have been used are: ( 1 ) It minimizes temperature increases. (2) It prevents insect entanglement on the side of the cage as may be the case with muslin covering. ( 3 ) I t simplifies introduction and removal of insects. (4) It protects insects from rain. (5) It is easily placed in position on the tree, is self-centring, and may be readily adapted for use on spur or twig. (6) It is low in cost, easy to construct, and very durable. (7) It is suitable for both field and insectary use.

Bird blow flies (Protocalliphora) in North America (Diptera: Calliphoridae), with notes on the Palearctic species

“…European rearing records of chrysorrhoea are likewise from bank swallows, there called sand martins (e.g., Engel 1920, Zumpt 1956, Peus 1960, Nuorteva 1960, Nuorteva and Jarvinen 1961. The published record of chrysorrhoea from "cliff swallow" (Sailer and Lienk 1951) was an error for bank swallow, according to information from the late Dr. Sailer. Ecology and Biology.…”

“…The only published record of P. sapphira other than those listed in the synonymy is that by Sailer and Lienk (1951), but later study showed these specimens to be P. chrysorrhoea (Meigen). The "cliff swallow" host was an error for bank swallow (…”

A review of Forensic Entomology literature in Alaska, United States

“…Chiefly important among these insects are the blow flies (Diptera: Calliphoridae), many of which develop in carrion and are among the first insects to colonize a carcass (Byrd & Castner, 2001). In 1948, a survey of Alaskan calliphorids revealed eight species active during the summer (Sailer & Lienk, 1951). Traps were baited with salmon or liver, and placed around Fairbanks from May to June 1948, with a separate collection taking place in August of the same year in Anchorage (Sailer & Lienk, 1951).…”

“…In 1948, a survey of Alaskan calliphorids revealed eight species active during the summer (Sailer & Lienk, 1951). Traps were baited with salmon or liver, and placed around Fairbanks from May to June 1948, with a separate collection taking place in August of the same year in Anchorage (Sailer & Lienk, 1951). The dominant species from the Fairbanks collections was Protophormia terraenovae (Robineau‐Desvoidy), accounting for 76.4% of the specimens.…”

“…As the northernmost US state, with more territory than any other state and with more extreme low temperatures than other regions in the United States (Arguez et al, 2012), Alaska is classified as its own region by the USFWS. Alaska houses some widely‐distributed insect species familiar to many forensic entomologists in the continental United States, and also features some cold weather specialists that cannot be found in any other state (Sailer & Lienk, 1951). While the state lacks terrestrial mammalian succession studies, Alaskan studies of the impacts of salmon spawning events, which are accompanied by mass die‐off of adult salmon, shed some light on aquatic and terrestrial insect necrophages.…”