Spatial and Seasonal Distribution of Forensically Important Blow Flies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) in Makhanda, Eastern Cape, South Africa

Abstract

The seasonal activity of adults of eight forensically important blow fly species [Calliphora croceipalpis (Diptera: Calliphoridae), Jaennicke, Lucilia sericata (Meigen) (Diptera: Calliphoridae), L. cuprina (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Calliphoridae), Chrysomya chloropyga (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Calliphoridae), Ch. albiceps (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Calliphoridae), Ch. marginalis (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Calliphoridae), Ch. putoria (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Calliphoridae), Ch. megacephala (Fabricius) (Diptera: Calliphoridae)] was quantified from collections in Makhanda, South Africa. Flies were collected in traps baited with chicken liver and placed in the field at eight locations for four consecutive days each fortnight for 14 mo. The seasonal distribution of each species compared well to published seasonal distributions of these blow flies elsewhere in South Africa, with evidence of year-to-year variation within seasons that might be explained by weather. This information is important for determining when and where certain species are likely to occur and will be of use in forensic investigations and myiasis management plans.

Diversité des mouches synanthropes et leur potentiel de transmission des maladies diarrhéïques à Maroua (Extrême-Nord, Cameroun)

“…La dominance de M. domestica serait liée à son degré élevé d´affinité aux milieux urbains et péri-urbains que les autres espèces synanthropes, à la disponibilité de ses aliments issus des activités anthropiques. Toutefois, le substrat utilisé peut manquer d´attirer certaines espèces et cela pourrait masquer leur présence dans l´environnement [ 26 ].…”

“…La présence de certaines espèces de mouches dans les deux saisons s´expliquerait par l´existence de nombreux sites d´approvisionnement alimentaire et de pontes ; la tolérance d´un large intervalle de température qui, attribueraient à ces espèces une plasticité écologique importante comme le montrent les études de Archer et Elgar [ 29 ]. Selon Williams et Villet [ 26 ], l´absence totale de C. marginalis et C. inclinata en saison sèche pourrait être liée à l´absence des précipitations, au faible degré d´humidité et à la raréfaction de la matière organique en décomposition (séchée par le soleil). Une variation des espèces et d´abondances des mouches en fonction des quartiers de Maroua a été observée au cours de cette étude.…”

Insect Succession and Decomposition Pattern on Pig Carrion During Warm and Cold Seasons in Kwazulu-Natal Province of South Africa

“…Although the effect of seasons and other environmental factors on the decomposition rate and succession pattern of arthropods have been previously studied in other countries including few regions of South Africa, the seasonal colonization pattern and activity of many carrion-associated arthropods to determine PMI and relocation of a carcass remains scantily studied in Africa ( Parry et al 2016 ). A number of studies have been previously conducted in some provinces of South Africa, on diversity of arthropods associated with animal carrion ( Braack 1986 ) and seasonal variation related to different stages of decomposition and succession pattern of arthropods ( Kelly et al 2008 , 2011 , Gilbert 2014 , Williams and Villet 2019 ) which have a different ecological niche from KwaZulu-Natal province, where this study was conducted. Therefore, this study aimed at determining the decomposition pattern of a pig carcass during the warm and cold season, and further assess the dipteran and coleopteran species associated with pig carrion and their sequence of arrival and colonization immediately after death and throughout the different stages of decomposition during the two seasons.…”

The first record of Omosita nearctica Kirejtshuk (Coleoptera, Nitidulidae) in South Africa, with the first description of its mature larva

“…An adult specimen of Omosita nearctica was collected in a trap baited with 50 g of fresh chicken liver in Makhanda (formerly Grahamstown), Eastern Cape province, South Africa, in August 2001, during a study of the seasonal distribution of forensically important flies (Villet et al 2017;Williams and Villet 2019). The specimen was discovered in 2012 among the ethanol-preserved flies.…”