Examination of Nocturnal Oviposition by Chrysomya putoria (Diptera: Calliphoridae) in Brazil

This is the first study in Brazil that monitored the nocturnal oviposition behavior of Chrysomya putoria, a species of forensic importance, in order to verify if individuals of this species oviposit at night. Groups of 10 flies (5 male and 5 female) distributed in ten cages were kept in a fume hood and submitted to total darkness or exposed to artificial light for eleven consecutive hours through four experimental conditions in the laboratory. Two verifications were made to see if the females oviposited in the offered substrate of about 20 g of chicken gizzard per cage. Verification 1 occurred at 09:00 pm in the evening experiments and at 09:00 am in the daytime experiments. Verification 2 occurred at 05:00 am in the night experiments and at 05:00 pm in the daytime experiments. Each experiment lasted 5 d. C. putoria laid eggs at night (with or without light) and the quantity of eggs was significantly similar to those produced during the day under natural light or in total darkness. Only the amount of eggs produced during the day in the absence of light was considerably greater than in the typical daytime period. The females oviposited in greater quantity in the nights when the average temperature was between 23 and 24.8°C and relative humidity above 81%. Ovipositions only occurred at temperatures above 21°C and humidity above 56% during the day. Finally, it is necessary that more evaluations on the effect of variables on blowfly behavior are performed to better understand nocturnal oviposition.

The Nocturnal Ovipositon Behavior of Chrysomya megacephala (Diptera: Calliphoridae) in Brazil and Its Forensic Implications

Chrysomya megacephala (Fab. 1794) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) is a very important species for forensic entomology, mainly contributing estimations of the postmortem interval (PMI) in judicial investigations. There are some doubts about the nocturnal oviposition of these flies, which could lead to errors in the PMI calculation. This study aimed to monitor the nocturnal oviposition behavior of this species through four experimental conditions carried out in laboratory. Ten cages, each containing five males and females (n = 100), were kept in a fume hood and subjected to total darkness or to artificial light for 11 consecutive hours. Two verifications were performed to determine whether the females deposited eggs on the substrate of ~20 g of chicken gizzards per cage. The first verification occurred at 9:00 pm in nocturnal experiments and at 09:00 am in diurnal experiments. The second verification occurred at 05:00 am in nocturnal experiments and at 05:00 pm in diurnal experiments. Each experiment lasted 5 d. Chrysomya megacephala deposited eggs at night under artificial light and in total darkness, but the amount of eggs was significantly lower when compared with the daytime experiments in dark conditions and under natural light. Oviposition occurred when the average temperature was around 25°C (± 2°C) and relative humidity around 73% (± 6%). Night oviposition is a possibility which should not be ruled out. Thus, future experiments are recommended.

Neotropical Stomopogon (Diptera, Muscidae): new species, redescriptions and key to species

Stomopogon Malloch (Diptera, Muscidae) is a Neotropical genus recorded from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile and Peru. In this contribution, the genus is revised, and three new species are described, one from Bolivia (Murillo, La Paz), one from Brazil (Palmas, Paraná) and one from Peru (Wayqecha, Cuzco). The descriptions include color images, illustrations and ultrastructural morphology of the terminalia of the adult. We provide an identification key to the species of Stomopogon and an updated map with species' distributions. Stomopogon acuta (Malloch, 1934) is proposed as a new junior synonym of S. inculta Stein, 1911.

Recovery & identification of human Y-STR DNA from immatures of chrysomya albiceps (Diptera: Calliphoridae). Simulation of sexual crime investigation involving victim corpse in state of decay

The number of sexual crimes in Brazil, as in several other countries, is very high. In many of these crimes the women raped are murdered and their bodies are found days later, in an advanced state of decomposition, with intense cadaverous fauna. Forensic Entomology studies insects and other arthropods that can be used in the expert analysis of various types of crimes. Diptera, the order of insects that comprises the two-winged or true flies, represents one of the largest known groups of insects and is the principal source of cadaveric entomofauna. Members of its Calliphoridae family are observed in cadavers in all phases of decomposition. The retrieval and identification of human Y-STR DNA from the gastrointestinal tract of Calliphoridae species Chrysomya albiceps maggots and pupae can provide a good tool for the gathering of evidence in sexual crime investigations involving rape and death, in which the abandoned victim's body is found in a putrefied state. In this study, the animal model used was a female pig, Sus scrofa, which was sacrificed in a forested area with three shots from a 0.40 calibre Taurus pistol, and inoculated with semen to its anal and vaginal regions, simulating rape and homicide. During decomposition, 20-80 maggots were collected every 24 h and preserved in 70 % alcohol, totalling 289 maggots and 157 pupae (446 immatures) over a period of 14 days (336 h) of decomposition. Each maggot was then dissected for removal of the digestive tract, which was placed in extraction buffer. The molecular phase proceeded with extraction, quantification, amplification and capillary electrophoresis of samples, testing 16 STR loci of the Y chromosome. It was possible to establish a partial Y-STR DNA profile, with the amplification of up to eight sites, by considering a combination of the samples taken at hours 144 h, 168 h, 192 h, 216 h, 240 h, 288 h, 312 h and 336 h.

Ethiopian muscids (Diptera, Muscidae) egg-carriers of Stylogaster Macquart (Diptera, Conopidae)

We here report for the first time on the presence of three species of the conopid genus Stylogaster Macquart (Diptera, Conopidae) in Ethiopia, viz. S. nitens Brunetti, S. westwoodi Smith and Stylogaster sp.. We further screened 908 muscid flies (Diptera, Muscidae) for the presence of impaled eggs of Stylogaster and recorded eggs on 89 individuals (9.8%). Eggs were impaled on eight species, viz. Limnophora translucida Stein, Musca lusoria Wiedemann, Musca splendens Pont, Neomyia chrysopyga (Emden), Pseudohelina nigritarsis (Jaennicke), Stomoxys omega Newstead, Stomoxys taeniatus Bigot and Stomoxys varipes (Bezzi). The maximum number of eggs found on a single muscid was six. We illustrated the dissected eggs. L. translucida, M. lusoria, M. splendens, N. chrysopyga and S. varipes are reported as new muscid hosts species for Stylogaster.

First record of Fanniidae (Diptera) from New Caledonia

The family Fanniidae is newly recorded to New Caledonia. Adult male and female of Fannia capitalis Pont are illustrated as well as the peculiar male terminalia, the female ovipositor, and the egg. Male phallic process and egg are described for the first time.

Chronology of the Intrapuparial Development of the Blowfly Chrysomya albiceps (Diptera: Calliphoridae): Application in Forensic Entomology

Insects display different patterns of development, and blow flies have one of the most specialized patterns of intrapuparial development of all. In forensic entomology, pupae can be used as a tool to estimate the minimum postmortem time interval (minPMI). We analyzed the intrapuparial development of Chrysomya albiceps (Diptera: Caloricidade), whose larvae had been fed pig lungs and reared in a climate-controlled room at 28°C day/26°C night, 70 ± 10% RH, and 12 h of photophase and monitored daily. After the third-instar larvae abandoned their diet, the process of pupariation and pupation was monitored. At pre-established times, five pupae were collected, euthanized, and fixed in 5% formaldehyde, inside polypropylene test tubes with caps. Since they were the first, they were classified as 0 h pupae. Twelve collections occurred until the emergence of the adults, at 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 24, 30, 48, 54, 72, 78, 96, and 99 h (n = 84). The fixed pupae were dissected under the microscope, with the aid of anatomical tweezers and hypodermic needles, and photographed. The stages of metamorphosis and the morphological alterations occurring during the process were identified, described, and recorded before and after pupation. These phases were: pupation, larval pupal apolysis, cryptocephalic, phanerocephalic, pharate adult, emergence, and adult. The cryptophalic phase occurred between 4 and 6 h after pupation; the phanerocephalic phase between 6 and 10 h after; the pharate adult phase between 24 and 96 h after; and the imago/emergence phase 99 h after pupation.

Insects Associated with Pig Carrion in Two Environments of the Brazilian Savanna

Studies of carrion fauna have increased in Brazil and have contributed to the knowledge of this fauna in the national territory. Brazil has continental dimensions and presents various biomes in its territorial area. Most of the carrion fauna have seldom been studied, and this is especially true for the Savanna or "Cerrado." The present research examined the fauna visiting carrion in two environments and two seasons in a rural area situated in a region of Cerrado in southeastern Brazil. The two environments studied were a pasture and a fragment of semi-deciduous forest. Samples were collected during the dry and humid seasons of the year. The study identified the diversity and relative abundance of species attracted to pig carcasses (Sus scrofa L.) exposed in each environment and season. Eight pig carcasses (10 ± 1 kg) were placed in traps, and adult insects attracted to the traps were collected during the decay of the carcasses. A total of 92,489 insects were collected during the experiments. The Diptera was the most frequent order (92.2%) represented by 27 families and at least 124 species. This was followed by Coleoptera (4.4%) represented by 14 families and at least 65 species. Sarcophagidae had the greatest diversity of species, followed by Muscidae and Calliphoridae. Several species were collected only during a specific period of the year or in a single environment. The results are important from an ecological point of view and for Medico-Legal Forensic Entomology.

The predator Coenosia Attenuata Stein (Diptera, Muscidae) on cultivated plants from Brazil

Coenosia attenuata Stein (1903) is a predatory fly that is commonly found in greenhouses and open fields preying on whiteflies, leafminers, psocopterans and other insects. The species is widespread in the Old World and its distribution has expanded in recent times to Neotropical countries including Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador and Peru. We report here for the first time the presence of C. attenuata in Brazil, occurring in different sites in the State of Ceará (Northeastern Brazil). Expansion of the distribution range of this muscid to the eastern parts of South America opens up the possibility of applying the beneficial predator as a biological control agent for protected crops of the region.

New Agromyza Fallén (Diptera, Agromyzidae) from Brazil and a key for the Neotropical species

Agromyza Fallén (Diptera, Agromyzidae) is a genus of leaf mining flies, including species with high economic importance. The knowledge of this genus is very poor in the neotropics, with 12 known species, only six of them recorded from Brazil. This paper describes two new Agromyza species from "Cerrado" and "Pantanal" biomes and records three other species represented only by females that could not be identified to species level. We also present a taxonomic key to segregate the 14 Neotropical species. The specimens were collected in Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul states and are deposited at Museu de Zoologia, Universidade de São Paulo (São Paulo, Brazil) and Museu Nacional, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) collections. The adults were photographed and the male terminalia were dissected and illustrated.

Taxonomy of Morellia Robineau-Desvoidy (Diptera: Muscidae): revision of the subgenera Morellia s. str. and Parapyrellia Townsend

The subgenera Morellia Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830 and Parapyrellia Townsend, 1915 of Morellia (Diptera, Muscidae) are revised. Forty-two species of the subgenus Morellia (out of 50) and seven of the subgenus Parapyrellia (all species) are redescribed and illustrated, and 48 species are keyed (41 spp. of Morellia and 7 spp. of Parapyrellia). Morellia (M.) cashmirana van Emden, 1965, originally described as a subspecies of M. (M.) hortorum (Fallén, 1817), is raised to species rank, stat. nov. Four species are transferred from the subgenus Morellia to the subgenus Parapyrellia (subgen. comb. nov.): M. dendropanacis Pamplona & Couri, 1995; M. lopesae Pamplona, 1986; M. roppai Pamplona, 1986 and M. semimarginata (Stein, 1918).

Timeless standards for species delimitation

Recently a new species of bombyliid fly, Marleyimyia xylocopae, was described by Marshall & Evenhuis (2015) based on two photographs taken during fieldwork in the Republic of South Africa. This species has no preserved holotype. The paper generated some buzz, especially among dipterists, because in most cases photographs taken in the field provide insufficient information for properly diagnosing and documenting species of Diptera.

Differential Diptera succession patterns onto partially burned and unburned pig carrion in southeastern Brazil

In the present contribution we compared the entomological succession pattern of a burned carcass with that of an unburned one. For that, we used domestic pig carcasses and focused on Calliphoridae, Muscidae and Sarcophagidae flies, because they are the ones most commonly used in Postmortem Interval estimates. Adult and immature flies were collected daily. A total of 27 species and 2,498 specimens were collected, 1,295 specimens of 26 species from the partially burned carcass and 1,203 specimens of 22 species from the control carcass (unburned). The species composition in the two samples differed, and the results of the similarity measures were 0.875 by Sorensen and 0.756 by Bray-Curtis index. The results obtained for both carcasses also differ with respect to the decomposition process, indicating that the post mortem interval would be underestimated if the entomological succession pattern observed for a carcass under normal conditions was applied to a carbonized carcass.

Intrapuparial development of Chrysomya putoria (Diptera: Calliphoridae)

The intrapuparial development of 150 pupae of Chrysomya putoria (Wiedemann, 1830) was analyzed. The material was kept in a climate chamber at 27 degrees C (day) and 25 degrees C (night), 60 +/- 10% relative humidity (RH), and a photoperiod of 14:10 (L:D) h, which started at 06:00 a.m. Daily, 30 pupae were frozen at - 15 degrees C, for the sacrifice of the insects, and the immatures obtained were photomicrographed until the emergence of the adults. The following stages were observed: pupariation process: during this process, reduction of the larvae's first three body segments and the darkening of the cuticle occur; cryptocephalic phase after 18 h; phanerocephalic phase after 24 h; body division after 48 h. Between the third and the fourth days of the development, the stage ofpharate adult was reached, characterized by the following changes in the color of the compounds eyes: 1) orange eyes, after 66 h; 2) red eyes, after 72 h; 3) dark red eyes, after 90 h; 4) brown eyes, after 96 h. The time of intrapuparial development of C. putoria at 2 degrees C (day) and 25 degrees C (night), 60 +/- 10% RH, and a photoperiod of 14:10 (L:D) h was 5 d.

A peculiar new Helina Robineau-Desvoidy (Diptera: Muscidae) from Mexico and Panama

Helina sinaloensis n. sp. (Diptera: Muscidae) is described and illustrated from Mexico and Panama. The new species shows a unique combination of characters and can be distinguished from the other species of the genus by the prosternum with lateral cilia, pre-alar seta absent, anepimeron bare, katepimeron setulose, postalar wall setulose and scutellum with setulae on lateroventral margin.

The impact of industrial anthropization on mosquito (Diptera, Culicidae) communities in mangrove areas of Guanabara Bay (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)

The effects of industrial anthropization on species composition and community diversity of Culicidae (Diptera) were studied in a mangrove area impacted by industrial activities as compared to a preserved area, both around Guanabara Bay in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Diversity, equitability, and species richness in Culicidae community differed between the studied areas. Indicator species analysis and correspondence analysis were carried out and indicated that the Sabethini, especially Wyeomyia (Phoniomyia) theobaldi Lane, Wyeomyia (Phoniomyia) fuscipes (Edwards), and a non-identified species of Wyeomyia sp. were associated to the preserved area, whereas Aedes taeniorhynchus Wiedemann and Aedes scapularis (Rondani) to the impacted area.

First record of the avian ectoparasite Philornis downsi Dodge & Aitken, 1968 (Diptera: Muscidae) in Argentina

Species of Philornis Meinert, 1890 (Diptera, Muscidae) are Neotropical dipterans that include species with parasitic larvae which feed on nestling birds. To date, all Philornis species that have been recorded from Argentina have parasitic subcutaneous larvae. Here, for the first time for Argentina, we report the finding of Philornis downsi Dodge & Aitken, 1968, a fly with a nest-dwelling, semi-haematophagous larva. This record, from the humid Chaco ecoregion of Argentina in the nest of a saffron finch Sicalis flaveola pelzelni Sclater, substantially extends the known distribution of this species. We also report the consensus sequences of the internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) and ITS2 regions of three of the specimens for future reference and comparison. Further investigation is needed to determine whether Argentina is part of the historical range of P. downsi or, alternatively, represents a recent expansion of its range, perhaps due to climatic changes or other factors of global environmental variation.

Revision of neotropical genea rondani (Diptera, Tachinidae, Tachininae, Leskiini)

The Neotropical species of Genea Rondani, 1850 (Diptera, Tachinidae, Tachininae, Leskiini) are revised by the examination of type-material of almost all species and a large material deposited in many scientific collections. G. australis (Townsend), G. brasiliensis (Townsend), G. gracilis James, G. jaynesi (Aldrich), G. major (Townsend), G. pellucens (Curran), G. tenuirostris (James), G. trifaria (Wiedemann) were keyed and redescribed with the first descriptions of male terminalia. G. longipalpis (Wulp) was not included in this study as no material was examined and the available data are restricted to the original description. G. glossata (Townsend) is proposed as a junior synonym of G. trifaria. G. paulistana sp. nov. from São Paulo is proposed as a new species.

New association between Philornis Meinert (Diptera: Muscidae) and Falconidae (Aves: Falconiformes)

This is the first record of Philornis falsificus Dodge & Aitken parasitizing a species of Falconidae.

Influência do aumento do número de pupas hospedeiras de Cochliomyia macellaria (Diptera, Calliphoridae) no desenvolvimento do parasitóide Nasonia vitripennis (Hymenoptera, Pteromalidae) em laboratório

O desenvolvimento pós-embrionário, a produtividade, a taxa de parasitismo e a razão sexual de Nasonia vitripennis (Walker, 1836) criada em pupa de Cochliomyia macellaria (Fabricius, 1775) foram estudados. Densidades diferentes de hospedeiro foram usadas (proporções 1:1, 1:2, 1:3, 1:4 e 1:5) com tempo de exposição de 72 horas, em cada uma delas. Fêmeas nulíparas originárias da colônia estoque foram individualizadas em tubos de teste cobertos com algodão hidrófobo e contendo as pupas hospedeiras. Cada tratamento constituiu-se de 10 repetições. Depois da exposição, as vespas foram descartadas e as pupas hospedeiras foram individualizadas em tubos de teste até a emergência dos adultos de C. macellaria ou N. vitripennis. Amostras das pupas hospedeiras não expostas ao parasitismo e recebendo o mesmo tratamento experimental foram usadas como controle. Os parasitóides mostraram um desenvolvimento mais lento em relação ao aumento da densidade de hospedeiros. Houve uma diminuição na produção de parasitóides por hospedeiro em densidades elevadas. A razão sexual tendeu para um desvio para nascimento de fêmeas com o aumento da densidade do hospedeiro. Os índices de parasitismo mostraram uma diminuição quando o parasitóide foi exposto a mais de duas pupas hospedeiras.

Philornis fasciventris (Wulp) (Diptera: Muscidae): description of the male, larva and puparium, with notes on biology and host association

The male, larva and puparium of Philornis fasciventris (Wulp) are described for the first time, as well as the larval habit and host association. The material was collected in Yucatan, Mexico in a nest of the turquoise-browed motmot, Eumomota superciliosa (Sandbach) (Coraciformes: Momotidae), first host record for this species. E. superciliosa is also a new host record for Philornis.

A key to the Afrotropical genera of Muscidae (Diptera)

A key to 57 of the 58 Afrotropical Muscidae (Diptera) genera is given. The previous Catalogue of Afrotropical Diptera published about 25 years ago by Adrian C. Pont was used as a taxonomic guide, to which the more recently synonyms and taxonomic changes were updated. For each genus, geographical distribution and number of valid species in this region are also included. Some morphological diagnostic characters are illustrated in order to help the use of the key.

Parasitoidism of Chalcidid wasps (Hymenoptera, Chalcididae) on Philornis sp. (Diptera, Muscidae)

Philornis Meinert larvae are known as parasites of birds, with coprophagous, semi-hematophagous or hematophagous habits. Biological data of the larvae of the fifty described species are still scarcely known. Here we describe some aspects of the parasitism of a species of Philornis on Thalurania glaucopis Gmelin (Trochilidae) and record two species of Chalcididae (Hymenoptera) parasitoids, Conura annulifera (Walker, 1864) and Brachymeria podagrica (Fabricius, 1787), reared from Philornis puparia.

An illustrated key to adult males of neotropical Fannia Robineau-Desvoidy belonging to pusio sub-group (Diptera, Fanniidae)

The 11 neotropical species of Fannia belonging to the pusio sub-group (canicularis group), are keyed -F. dodgei Seago; F. femoralis (Stein); F. pamplonae Couri & Araújo; F. parafemoralis Araújo & Couri;F. paraisensis Araújo & Couri; F. punctivervis Malloch; F. pusio (Wiedemann); F. sabroskyi Seago;F. snyderi Seago; F. trimaculata (Stein); F. trimaculatoides Couri & Pamplona. The key is addressed only to the males and the illustrations help in the visualization of the characters.

New data on Philornis seguyi Garcia (1952)(Diptera, Muscidae)

Philornis Meinert is a very interesting Muscidae (Diptera) genus whose larvae are associated with a wide range of bird species. The existing description of Philornis seguyi Garcia (1952), which was reported in Argentina, so far involves only the female. During the 2000-2002 breeding seasons, we collected Philornis flies from six bird species in Buenos Aires province, Argentina. All the flies were identified as P. seguyi. Based on this material, we describe the larva, puparium, adult male, and male and female terminalia. All the host associations presented here - Mimus saturninus (Mimidae), Troglodytes aedon (Troglodytidae), Pitangus sulfuratus (Tyrannidae), Pyrocephalus rubinus (Tyrannidae), Satrapa icterophrys (Tyrannidae) and Molothrus bonariensis (Icteridae) in nests of M. saturninus and Troglodytes aedon - are new for P. seguyi. We also present some data on the biology of the species.

A new Notoschoenomyza Malloch and a key to the species (Diptera, Muscidae, Coenosiinae)

A new species of Notoschoenomyza Malloch, N. diminuta sp. nov. from Chile, is described and the male and female terminalia are illustrated. A key to the identification of all Notoschoenomyza species is presented.

Two new species of Fannia Robineau-Desvoidy (Diptera, Fanniidae)

Fannia Robineau-Desvoidy is known from 63 neotropical species, 24 of them with occurence in Rio de Janeiro State. Two new species from Rio de Janeiro State are added to the genus: F. tibialis, sp. n and F. unica, sp. n. Male specimens of both are described. Morphological characters and terminalia are illustrated. Each species is briefly discussed.

Systematic relations among Philornis Meinert, Passeromyia Rodhain & Villeneuve and allied genera (Diptera, Muscidae)

Passeromyia Rodhain & Villeneuve and Philornis Meinert are the only known Muscidae whose larvae are parasites of birds. Passeromyia is known from the Old World and Philornis from the New World. Opinions on the relations between these two genera and their systematic positions among the Muscidae have varied. This survey aims to clear the discussion on the relations of Passeromyia, Philornis, and of some allied genera and give an overview of the classification of the Muscidae based on cladistic methodology. Thirty-two terminal taxa (2 of them outgroups) were analysed based on 54 characters. The cladistic analysis, carried out using Hennig86, resulted in 1 minimal tree (length 373), with a consistency index of 71 and a retention index of 85. Philornis and Passeromyia belong to a monophyletic group, supported by a synapomorphy, the presence of a cocoon, enclosing the pupa. The phylogenetic relationships found in this group are: (Muscina (Philornis (Phaonina ((Fraserella, Passeromyia) (Synthesiomyia (Calliphoroides, Reinwardtia)))))). Other probable monophyletic muscid groups, like Muscinae (with Stomoxyini and Muscini) and Coenosiinae (with Limnophorini and Coenosiini) are also discussed. Phylogenetic patterns within Reinwardtinae and Dichaetomyiinae could be explained by a Gondwana distribution.

Corpos estranhos animados em otorrinolaringologia

Forma de estudo: Clínico retrospectivo. Material e método: Foram reportados 56 casos de corpos estranhos animados em orelhas (55 insetos e 1 aracnídeo) e 1 caso (inseto) em fossas nasais. O material foi coletado no setor de Emergência do serviço de ORL do Hospital Municipal Souza Aguiar, no centro do Rio de Janeiro, entre os anos de 1998 e 2000, e identificado por zoólogos do Museu Nacional, Rio de Janeiro. A maior parte dos casos ocorreu em Nova Iguaçu e Campo Grande, sendo analisados os quadros clínicos e as complicações ocorridas. Resultado: Os insetos são: 30,35% Blattaria (baratas); 25% Diptera (moscas e mosquitos); 12,5% Lepidoptera (borboletas e mariposas); 10,7% Coleoptera (besouros); 7,15% Hemiptera (percevejos, cigarras, afídeos, etc.), 5,35% Hymenoptera (vespas, abelhas, formigas, marimbondos) e 5,31 % outros.