Record of Leptometopa latipes (Diptera: Milichiidae) from a human cadaver in the Mediterranean area

Abstract

In forensic entomology, insects are used mainly to obtain information about the time since death. This information is obtained studying the developmental rate of the first colonizers, principally species in the families Calliphoridae, Sarcophagidae, Muscidae, Stratiomyidae and Phoridae. However, species belonging to other families can provide information about body transfer or the season of the death. Among them Milichiidae are flies rarely reported from human cases despite the larvae of some species are known as saprophagous feeding on plant and animal decomposing matter. A potential cause of the lack of records of these species from forensic cases can be related with the paucity of descriptions and illustrations of the immature stages. In this article, the entomological samples collected from a human body found inside an apartment in a Maghreb country, in Northern Africa, is reported and Leptometopa latipes (Diptera: Milichiidae) is described in detail. Molecular analysis is also reported to confirm the morphological analysis. ARTICLE HISTORY

Medico-Legal Forensic Entomology “Use of Insects in Death Investigations”- A Review

“…During the past few years, FE had gained widespread acceptance (Byrd and Castner, 2010) and nowadays, it has become more and more common in police investigations in USA (Anderson, 1998). Several human cases were reported by some authors (Mann et al, 1990;Benecke, 1998;Intone et al, 1998;Campobasso et al, 2004;Martınez-Sanchez et al, 2011;Vanin et al, 2011;Dekeirsschieter et al, 2013 andBonacci et al, 2014;Bugelli et al, 2018 andGiordani et al, 2018). Some of these cases were used as legal evidences in solving crimes.…”

First record of Physyphora alceae (Preyssler, 1791) (Diptera, Ulidiidae) from a forensic case in Northern Italy: description of immature stages, DNA barcoding and phylogenetic analysis

“…Six dipteran species were identified within the entomological assemblage collected from the cadaver of the woman (Table III), however, according to the purposes of this article only Physiphora alceae (Preyssler, 1791) (Ulidiinae) is described in detail being recorded from a cadaver in Italy for the first time. The other taxa are already known from cadavers and reported from Italian forensic cases or archaeological contexts (Turchetto et al 2001;Turchetto & Vanin 2004;Bugelli et al 2015;Giordani et al 2018Giordani et al , 2019aGiordani et al , 2019bGiordani & Vanin 2020).…”

“…Physiphora alceae as member of the family Ulidiidae can be considered as a taxon that is occasionally present in the crime scenes, together with (Sessa et al 2019;Giordani et al 2019b).…”

“…It is worth mentioning that much research has been dedicated to the most common taxa of forensic interest, especially in the families Calliphoridae, Sarcophagidae and Muscidae, whereas little effort has been directed towards less common taxa (Tuccia et al 2016a). These "secondary taxa" collected from a corpse could as well provide important information (Smith 1986;Sessa et al 2019;Giordani et al 2019b;Giordani & Vanin 2020).…”

Description of the puparium and other notes on the morphological and molecular identification of Phthitia empirica (Diptera, Sphaeroceridae) collected from animal carcasses

“…Even though rarely, other species in the families of Trichoceridae, Psychodidae, Milichiidae, Ulidiidae, and Drosophilidae have been found related to dead bodies (Giordani et al 2018a). As already highlighted (Amendt et al 2007, Giordani et al 2018b, Giordani et al 2018b, 2018c, the correct identification of the specimens collected from human and animal bodies in forensic and archaeological contexts represents one of the most important problems to be solved, especially when immature stages are found. This problem is still relevant and sometimes impossible to solve when empty puparia are found and no molecular analysis can be performed on them because of the low amount of DNA, or the DNA degradation and the presence of PCR inhibitors (Scholz et al 1998;Kemp et al 2006).…”