Published in

Elsevier, Acta Tropica, 3(128), p. 522-527

DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2013.07.016

Links

Tools

Export citation

Search in Google Scholar

Ultrastructure of immature stages of Peckia (Euboetcheria) collusor (Diptera: Sarcophagidae)

This paper is available in a repository.
This paper is available in a repository.

Full text: Download

Green circle
Preprint: archiving allowed
Orange circle
Postprint: archiving restricted
Red circle
Published version: archiving forbidden
Data provided by SHERPA/RoMEO

Abstract

Peckia (Euboettcheria) collusor (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) is a necrophagous insect and represents an important role in Forensic Entomology, as it is always collected at animal/human corpses. Immature sarcophagids are extremely similar in morphological aspects and can be found colonizing both fresh and mummified bodies. Flesh fly larvae are reported to cause accidental myiasis. In the Neotropical regions little is known about the ultrastructure of immature stages of Sarcophagidae. Scanning electron microscopy gives detailed information on the morphological characters which can help identify the immature forms of the flies. The aim of this study is to identify larvae and puparia of P. (E.) collusor using this methodology. The integument with net-like patches and the shape and disposition of intersegmental spines of the larval instars can be used to distinguish this flesh fly larva. The number of spiracular ramifications is variable at larval instars. The puparia are very similar to third instar larvae, except for the cephalic structures that are retracted. In conclusion, scanning electron microscopy could help entomologists to identify the immature forms of P. (E.) collusor in forensic investigations and consequently serves as a tool in crime scene investigations.