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Holman AP, Pickett DN, Orr AE, Tarone AM, Kurouski D. A nondestructive technique for the sex identification of third instar Cochliomyia macellaria larvae. J Forensic Sci 2024. [PMID: 39223721 DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.15619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2024] [Revised: 08/16/2024] [Accepted: 08/21/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
Forensic entomology plays an important role in medicolegal investigations by using insects, primarily flies, to estimate the time of colonization. This estimation relies on the development of the flies found at the (death) scene and can be affected (and sometimes corrected) by external factors, such as temperature and humidity, and internal factors, such as species and sex. This study leverages infrared (IR) spectroscopy combined with machine learning models-Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA) and eXtreme Gradient Boosting trees Discriminant Analysis (XGBDA)-to differentiate between male and female Cochliomyia macellaria larvae, commonly found on human remains. Significant vibrational differences were detected in the infrared spectra of third instar C. macellaria larvae, with distinct peaks showing variations in relative absorbance between sexes, suggesting differences in biochemical compositions such as cuticular proteins and lipids. The application of PLS-DA and XGBDA yielded high classification accuracies of about 94% and 96%, respectively, with female spectra consistently having higher sensitivity than males. This non-destructive approach offers the potential to refine supplemental post-mortem interval estimations significantly, enhancing the accuracy of forensic analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aidan P Holman
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Davis N Pickett
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Abigail E Orr
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Aaron M Tarone
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Dmitry Kurouski
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
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2
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Liu Z, Li C, Yang W, Wu Q, Xiao W, Zhu Y, Wei Q, Dong Z, Zhang G, Lu C, Pan M, Chen P. The Bombyx mori singed Gene Is Involved in the High-Temperature Resistance of Silkworms. INSECTS 2024; 15:264. [PMID: 38667394 PMCID: PMC11049829 DOI: 10.3390/insects15040264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2024] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Temperature is an important factor in the growth, development, survival, and reproduction of organisms. The high-temperature resistance mechanism of insects may be significant for use in the prevention and control of insect pests. The silkworm, Bombyx mori, is an important Lepidoptera model species for studies on pest control in agriculture and forestry. We identified a gene in B. mori, the B. mori singed (Bmsn) gene, which is involved in the high-temperature resistance of silkworms. Sn proteins are highly conserved among species in many taxonomic groups. The overexpression of the Bmsn gene promoted the proliferation of silkworm cells, reduced oxidation, and reduced the accumulation of reactive oxygen species under stress. Interfering with the Bmsn gene had the opposite result. We constructed a transgenic B. mori strain that overexpressed the Bmsn gene. The physiological traits of the transgenic strain were significantly improved, and it had stronger high-temperature resistance. The Bmsn gene is involved in the process by which fat bodies respond to high-temperature stress. These findings provide insights into the mechanism of high-temperature resistance of insects and offer a new perspective on agricultural and forestry pest control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenye Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; (Z.L.); (C.L.); (W.Y.); (Q.W.); (W.X.); (Y.Z.); (Q.W.); (Z.D.); (C.L.)
| | - Cong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; (Z.L.); (C.L.); (W.Y.); (Q.W.); (W.X.); (Y.Z.); (Q.W.); (Z.D.); (C.L.)
| | - Wenyu Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; (Z.L.); (C.L.); (W.Y.); (Q.W.); (W.X.); (Y.Z.); (Q.W.); (Z.D.); (C.L.)
| | - Qiao Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; (Z.L.); (C.L.); (W.Y.); (Q.W.); (W.X.); (Y.Z.); (Q.W.); (Z.D.); (C.L.)
| | - Wenfu Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; (Z.L.); (C.L.); (W.Y.); (Q.W.); (W.X.); (Y.Z.); (Q.W.); (Z.D.); (C.L.)
- Sericultural Research Institute, Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanchong 637000, China
| | - Yan Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; (Z.L.); (C.L.); (W.Y.); (Q.W.); (W.X.); (Y.Z.); (Q.W.); (Z.D.); (C.L.)
| | - Qiongqiong Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; (Z.L.); (C.L.); (W.Y.); (Q.W.); (W.X.); (Y.Z.); (Q.W.); (Z.D.); (C.L.)
| | - Zhanqi Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; (Z.L.); (C.L.); (W.Y.); (Q.W.); (W.X.); (Y.Z.); (Q.W.); (Z.D.); (C.L.)
| | - Guizheng Zhang
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Sericultural Genetic Improvement and Efficient Breeding, Sericulture Technology Promotion Station of Guangxi, Nanning 530007, China;
| | - Cheng Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; (Z.L.); (C.L.); (W.Y.); (Q.W.); (W.X.); (Y.Z.); (Q.W.); (Z.D.); (C.L.)
| | - Minhui Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; (Z.L.); (C.L.); (W.Y.); (Q.W.); (W.X.); (Y.Z.); (Q.W.); (Z.D.); (C.L.)
| | - Peng Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; (Z.L.); (C.L.); (W.Y.); (Q.W.); (W.X.); (Y.Z.); (Q.W.); (Z.D.); (C.L.)
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Monzon MA, Weidner LM, Rusch TW, Nehrozoglu S, Hamilton G. High Temperature Limits of Survival and Oviposition of Phormia regina (Meigen) and Lucilia sericata (Meigen). INSECTS 2022; 13:991. [PMID: 36354815 PMCID: PMC9693050 DOI: 10.3390/insects13110991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The temperature dependent development rates of blow flies allow blow flies to be used as biological clocks in forensic death investigations. However, the upper thermal limits of adult survival and oviposition, both required for producing larvae, remains largely unknown. Therefore, in this study we examined the impact of a range of temperatures between 37 °C and 44 °C on the likelihood of survival and egg-laying behavior of two species of medicolegal forensic importance, Lucilia sericata (Meigen) and Phormia regina (Meigen) (Diptera: Calliphoridae). To quantify the upper temperature limits of survival, adult fly colonies were exposed to 37 °C, 41 °C, 42 °C, 43 °C, and 44 °C for 24 h. Similarly for oviposition trials, adults of both species were exposed to 40 °C, 42 °C, and 43 °C with P. regina oviposition also observed at 41 °C. Trials lasted for 24 h with oviposition substrate replenished at the 12 h mark. A yes/no determination on egg deposition was made, eggs were counted, and a yes/no determination was made on egg hatch. Survival did not differ by species (p = 0.096). Overall, survival decreased with increasing temperatures, with ~100% at 37 °C, ~50% at 41 °C, ~37% at 42 °C, ~15% at 43 °C and 0% at 44 °C. Lucilia sericata laid eggs capable of hatch up to 43 °C, while Phormia regina egg-hatch was observed up to 41 °C. These results indicate a greater thermal tolerance of adult survival than for egg deposition and successful egg hatch, which supports previous experiments indicating blow flies stop laying eggs at sub-lethal temperatures. Furthermore, these data indicate that adult blow flies may find remains at or near time of death but may delay egg deposition until temperatures drop below an acceptable threshold.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael A. Monzon
- Department of Entomology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
| | - Lauren M. Weidner
- School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences, New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences, Arizona State University, Glendale, AZ 85306, USA
| | - Travis W. Rusch
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
| | - Selen Nehrozoglu
- Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)—Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ), United Stated Department of Agriculture (USDA), Linden, NJ 07036, USA
| | - George Hamilton
- Department of Entomology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
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Owings CG, McKee-Zech HS, Schwing ST, Bugajski KN, Davis MC, Steadman DW. Not by the Book: Observations of Delayed Oviposition and Re-Colonization of Human Remains by Blow Flies. INSECTS 2022; 13:879. [PMID: 36292827 PMCID: PMC9604324 DOI: 10.3390/insects13100879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Postmortem interval estimations can be complicated by the inter-individual variation present in human decomposition. Forensic entomologists may especially face challenges interpreting arthropod evidence in scenarios that are not "by the book", or that vary in unexpected ways. Therefore, it is important to report instances where blow fly colonization does not align with expected soft tissue decomposition as blow fly larvae are often used to produce a time of colonization (TOC) estimation to infer a minimum PMI. We followed the decomposition and blow fly activity of three human donors at the Anthropology Research Facility (University of Tennessee). Delayed oviposition occurred on one donor 115 d post-placement, whereas two donors experienced blow fly re-colonization after cessation of the consumption phase, one 22 d and one more than 200 d after blow fly larvae were last observed. A null hypothesis model tested whether the entomological TOC and anthropological total body score (TBS) estimations encompassed the time of placement (TOP) for each donor. While the null hypothesis was rejected for all TOC estimations, it could not be rejected for the TBS estimations. We discuss how the non-linear nature of human decomposition can pose challenges to interpreting blow fly evidence and suggest that forensic entomology practitioners should recognize these limitations in both research endeavors and applied casework.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charity G. Owings
- Department of Anthropology, University of Tennessee, 1621 Cumberland Ave., Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
| | - Hayden S. McKee-Zech
- Department of Anthropology, University of Tennessee, 1621 Cumberland Ave., Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
| | - Sarah T. Schwing
- Department of Anthropology, University of Tennessee, 1621 Cumberland Ave., Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
| | - Kristi N. Bugajski
- Department of Biology, Valparaiso University, 1610 Campus Drive East, Valparaiso, IN 46383, USA
| | - Mary C. Davis
- Department of Anthropology, University of Tennessee, 1621 Cumberland Ave., Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
| | - Dawnie W. Steadman
- Department of Anthropology, University of Tennessee, 1621 Cumberland Ave., Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
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Pinto J, Magni PA, O’Brien RC, Dadour IR. Chasing Flies: The Use of Wingbeat Frequency as a Communication Cue in Calyptrate Flies (Diptera: Calyptratae). INSECTS 2022; 13:822. [PMID: 36135523 PMCID: PMC9504876 DOI: 10.3390/insects13090822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The incidental sound produced by the oscillation of insect wings during flight provides an opportunity for species identification. Calyptrate flies include some of the fastest and most agile flying insects, capable of rapid changes in direction and the fast pursuit of conspecifics. This flight pattern makes the continuous and close recording of their wingbeat frequency difficult and limited to confined specimens. Advances in sound editor and analysis software, however, have made it possible to isolate low amplitude sounds using noise reduction and pitch detection algorithms. To explore differences in wingbeat frequency between genera and sex, 40 specimens of three-day old Sarcophaga crassipalpis, Lucilia sericata, Calliphora dubia, and Musca vetustissima were individually recorded in free flight in a temperature-controlled room. Results showed significant differences in wingbeat frequency between the four species and intersexual differences for each species. Discriminant analysis classifying the three carrion flies resulted in 77.5% classified correctly overall, with the correct classification of 82.5% of S. crassipalpis, 60% of C. dubia, and 90% of L. sericata, when both mean wingbeat frequency and sex were included. Intersexual differences were further demonstrated by male flies showing significantly higher variability than females in three of the species. These observed intergeneric and intersexual differences in wingbeat frequency start the discussion on the use of the metric as a communication signal by this taxon. The success of the methodology demonstrated differences at the genus level and encourages the recording of additional species and the use of wingbeat frequency as an identification tool for these flies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Pinto
- Discipline of Medical, Molecular & Forensic Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
| | - Paola A. Magni
- Discipline of Medical, Molecular & Forensic Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
- King’s Centre, Murdoch University Singapore, Singapore 169662, Singapore
| | - R. Christopher O’Brien
- Forensic Sciences Department, Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences, University of New Haven, West Haven, CT 06516, USA
| | - Ian R. Dadour
- Discipline of Medical, Molecular & Forensic Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
- Source Certain, Wangara DC, WA 6947, Australia
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