Observations on morphology of immature Lucilia porphyrina (Diptera: Calliphoridae), a fly species of forensic importance

Abstract

Lucilia porphyrina (Walker) is a blow fly of forensic importance, and shares its geographical distribution with a related forensically important species, Lucilia cuprina (Wiedemann). The immature stages of both species are similar in general appearance; therefore, correct identification should be given special consideration. This study highlighted the main features of L. porphyrina larvae, as observed under light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Particular attention is given to the anterior and posterior spiracles, cephalopharyngeal skeleton, and characteristics of the dorsal spines between the prothorax and mesothorax. In the third instar specifically, morphological information on L. porphyrina showed several features that are shared by L. cuprina, and therefore need certain identification to distinguish between them. Such key features are (1) greater posterior spiracle, (2) apparent inner projection between the middle and lower slits of the posterior spiracle, and (3) strongly sclerotized peritreme. The number of papillae on the anterior spiracle may be a supplement, five to nine and three to six in L. porphyrina and L. cuprina, respectively. The key for identifying third instar of forensically important flies in Thailand has been updated to include L. porphyrina.

Micromorphology of immature stages of Sarcophaga (Liopygia) cultellataPandellé, 1896 (Diptera: Sarcophagidae), a forensically important fly

“…However, this procedure may meet with failure if only a few specimens are collected, the specimens are killed during collection, or an unsuitable rearing procedure is used (Sukontason et al, ). Increasingly, the characterization of immature stages allows correct species identification without the need to rear adults (Klong‐Klaew et al, ). The third larval stage is the best known, and sometimes the only known, immature instar for many species of Diptera because it provides the clearest morphological identification character, and it is already used for complete and correct identification keys (e.g., Szpila, ; Velásquez et al, ).…”

“…The third larval stage is the best known, and sometimes the only known, immature instar for many species of Diptera because it provides the clearest morphological identification character, and it is already used for complete and correct identification keys (e.g., Szpila, ; Velásquez et al, ). Today, it is still of great interest to have the benefit of a precise description of all instars, enabling a comparative study of the main morphological characters during all the larval stages (e.g., Draber‐Monko et al, ; Grzywacz et al, ; Klong‐Klaew et al, ; Liu and Greenberg, ; Paños et al, ; Sukontason et al, , 2008; Ubero‐Pascal et al, ).…”

“…The normal practice in this field is to rear the immature stages in the laboratory to become adults for identification purposes. However, this procedure may meet with failure to have the benefit of a precise description of all instars, enabling a comparative study of the main morphological characters during all the larval stages (e.g., Draber-Monko et al, 2009;Grzywacz et al, 2013;Klong-Klaew et al, 2012;Liu and Greenberg, 1989;Paños et al, 2013;Sukontason et al, 2003bSukontason et al, , 2008Ubero-Pascal et al, 2012).…”

Adhesive attachments of the endangered botfly, Portschinskia magnifica (Diptera: Oestridae)

“…In insects, pretarsi are adapted to serve different functions because of their habits (Gorb 1996;Klong-Klaew et al 2012). P. magnifica are subcutaneous parasites that usually lay eggs on the hairs of hosts.…”

Rapid discrimination of maggots utilising ATR-FTIR spectroscopy

“…Six samples from each time point in the life cycle of C. vomitoria were used and spectra were collected. Larval stages were confirmed by observation of the number of slits in the posterior spiracle which increases with each larval molt [17]. The samples were defrosted before they were crushed to a mixture of epidermis and internal matter using an eppendorf tube and a micropestle.…”