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Martínez-Sánchez A, Ivorra T, Velásquez Y, Cerdá-Ortega L, Ibáñez C, Rojo S. Dietary and competition effects on life history attributes of Chrysomya megacephala and Lucilia sericata (Diptera: Calliphoridae) in south-west Europe. Int J Legal Med 2025:10.1007/s00414-025-03425-1. [PMID: 39847076 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-025-03425-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/15/2025] [Indexed: 01/24/2025]
Abstract
The range of the oriental latrine fly (Chrysomya megacephala) is currently expanding. It coexists with another blowfly with a similar ecology, the green bottle fly (Lucilia sericata), one of the most abundant species in carrion during warm months. It is essential to understand the influence of temperature, larval substrate type, and larval competition on the development rates of these necrophagous calliphorids to evaluate the role and the adaptation of C. megacephala in the ecosystems, and on the necrophagous Diptera community. Moreover, due to the forensic importance of both species, biological data are need for forensic purposes in south-west Europe. This study represents the first on the biology of C. megacephala in Europe, and of L. sericata in Spain. We performed a field experiment in Alicante province (south-east Spain) to analyse the monthly abundance of both species in natural conditions, and three lab rearing experiments involving both species to evaluate (i) development at constant temperatures, (ii) the growth of larvae and pupae on different substrates, and (iii) coexistence in pure and mixed cultures under controlled abiotic conditions. The results allowed us to analyse the biological differences between both species, and their effects on the forensic entomology application.
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Ivorra T, Rahimi R, Goh TG, Azmiera N, Nur-Aliah NA, Low VL, Heo CC. First record of Diamesus osculans (Vigors, 1825) (Coleoptera: Silphidae) colonization on a human corpse. Int J Legal Med 2024; 138:677-683. [PMID: 37211557 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-023-03023-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
A partially skeletonized human corpse was found in bushes in Selangor, Malaysia in June 2020. Entomological evidence was collected during the autopsy and sent to the Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) for minimum postmortem interval (PMImin) analysis. Standard protocols were applied when processing preserved and live insect specimens of both larval and pupal stages. Entomological evidence revealed that the corpse was colonized by Chrysomya nigripes Aubertin, 1932 (Diptera: Calliphoridae) and Diamesus osculans (Vigors, 1825) (Coleoptera: Silphidae). Chrysomya nigripes was chosen as the PMImin indicator as this fly species is an earlier colonizer compared to D. osculans beetle larvae which their presence is the indicative of late stage of decomposition. For the present case, the pupae of C. nigripes were the oldest insect evidence collected and based on the available developmental data, the estimated minimum PMI was established between 9 and 12 days. It is noteworthy to highlight that this is the first record of D. osculans colonization on a human corpse.
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Ling MH, Ivorra T, Heo CC, Wardhana AH, Hall MJR, Tan SH, Mohamed Z, Khang TF. Machine learning analysis of wing venation patterns accurately identifies Sarcophagidae, Calliphoridae and Muscidae fly species. MEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY 2023; 37:767-781. [PMID: 37477152 DOI: 10.1111/mve.12682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
In medical, veterinary and forensic entomology, the ease and affordability of image data acquisition have resulted in whole-image analysis becoming an invaluable approach for species identification. Krawtchouk moment invariants are a classical mathematical transformation that can extract local features from an image, thus allowing subtle species-specific biological variations to be accentuated for subsequent analyses. We extracted Krawtchouk moment invariant features from binarised wing images of 759 male fly specimens from the Calliphoridae, Sarcophagidae and Muscidae families (13 species and a species variant). Subsequently, we trained the Generalized, Unbiased, Interaction Detection and Estimation random forests classifier using linear discriminants derived from these features and inferred the species identity of specimens from the test samples. Fivefold cross-validation results show a 98.56 ± 0.38% (standard error) mean identification accuracy at the family level and a 91.04 ± 1.33% mean identification accuracy at the species level. The mean F1-score of 0.89 ± 0.02 reflects good balance of precision and recall properties of the model. The present study consolidates findings from previous small pilot studies of the usefulness of wing venation patterns for inferring species identities. Thus, the stage is set for the development of a mature data analytic ecosystem for routine computer image-based identification of fly species that are of medical, veterinary and forensic importance.
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Jones AK, Nur-Aliah NA, Ivorra T, Heo CC. Black soldier fly (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) reduction of different sludges, subsequent safety, and research gaps. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2023; 349:119394. [PMID: 39491940 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.119394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Revised: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/05/2024]
Abstract
One of the many waste components that end up in landfills is sludge, an organic waste that Black Soldier Flies (BSF) may be capable of reducing or removing along with potential pathogens from the environment. Throughout this review, knowledge gaps were evaluated as well as indications that BSF can positively impact the environment and economy when it comes to reducing sludge. This review first aimed to establish consistency across assessed papers (n = 41). Second, previous research on the efficiency and capability of sludge to be reduced by BSF both in isolation and with other substrates (co-digestion) was assessed. Subsequently, this review also evaluated the resulting safety of both the BSF and remaining sludge after consumption. Through this review, reduction difficulties and gaps in research and industry were evaluated. Unfortunately, complications come from the lack of policy for industry status as well as the need for further research. Therefore, further research is required on the consumption of different sludges. In particular, sludge should be tested with co-substrates to decrease waste removal problems. Sludge lacks crucial nutrients and contains extracellular polymeric substances preventing BSFL consumption. This review could potentially be helpful in future research to formulate a methodology for better BSFL consumption and production of insect biomass by sludge pre-treatment. This could lead to the implementation of the new policy in sludge management.
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Ivorra T, Rahimi R, Zaini NA, Heo CC. Reporting beetles in a mummified human corpse in Malaysia: Necrobia rufipes (Fabricius, 1781) (Coleoptera: Cleridae) and Dermestes maculatus De Geer, 1774 (Coleoptera: Dermestidae). Leg Med (Tokyo) 2023; 62:102238. [PMID: 36913819 DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2023.102238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/10/2023]
Abstract
This case study reports on two unrecorded Coleopteran species found together on a human corpse in Malaysia. The mummified human remains were discovered in a house in Selangor, Malaysia. The pathologist confirmed that the death was due to a traumatic chest injury. Maggots, beetles, and fly pupal casings were found mainly on the front part of the body. Empty puparia of Diptera were collected during the autopsy and identified later as the muscid Synthesiomyia nudiseta (van der Wulp, 1883) (Diptera: Muscidae). Also, the insect evidence received included larvae and pupae of Megaselia sp. (Diptera: Phoridae). According to the insect development data, the minimum postmortem period was estimated by the time to reach the pupal developmental stage (in days). The entomological evidence included the first record of Dermestes maculatus De Geer, 1774 (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) and Necrobia rufipes (Fabricius, 1781) (Coleoptera: Cleridae), which have not previously been recorded on human remains in Malaysia.
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Ivorra T, Khorri SM, Rahimi R, Hoe CC. New developmental data of Chrysomya megacephala (Diptera: Calliphoridae) in tropical temperatures and its implications in forensic entomology. Trop Biomed 2023; 40:1-6. [PMID: 37355997 DOI: 10.47665/tb.40.1.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/27/2023]
Abstract
The estimation of the postmortem interval (PMI) is an essential information in death investigations. It is necessary to know the developmental data of the most important necrophagous insect species in every geographical area. Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius, 1794) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) is one of the most common species associated with human body decomposition, especially in the tropics, so a precise knowledge of its life cycle is crucial. However, despite its ubiquity, developmental data in a range of tropical temperatures is scarce. For this reason, the aim of this study is to provide the developmental data of the blowfly, C. megacephala, in a range of tropical temperatures and to apply these data in forensic entomology. Four temperatures were examined (i.e., 27.0°C 29.5°C, 32.0°C and 34.5°C) and the time of developments from egg to adult were recorded. To build the growth curves, five larvae per day were measured with a digital caliper. Accumulated degree-days were calculated and the isomorphen diagram for this species was plotted. As we predicted, the results showed that the life cycle of this species was affected by the increasing temperature. The implications of these new data for determining the minimum PMI in forensic entomology were discussed.
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Ivorra T, Martínez-Sánchez A, Velásquez Y, Henry L. Disney R, Rojo S. Estimation of PMI for human remains wrapped in a blanket, with first report of Puliciphora rufipes (Phoridae) and Synthesiomyia nudiseta (Muscidae) outdoor in SE Spain. Leg Med (Tokyo) 2022; 57:102077. [DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2022.102077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 04/09/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Ivorra T, Martínez-Sánchez A, Rojo S. Coexistence and intraguild competition of Chrysomya albiceps and Lucilia sericata larvae: case reports and experimental studies applied to forensic entomology. Acta Trop 2022; 226:106233. [PMID: 34808117 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2021.106233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Revised: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
The larval development of Chrysomya albiceps and Lucilia sericata is a well-known and valuable tool for estimating the postmortem interval (PMI). The third instar larvae of Ch. albiceps are facultative predators of the larvae of other necrophagous dipterans, and this behaviour is undoubtedly an important factor to consider. Both species are found together during human autopsies in Spain and other parts of Europe, where they cohabit, so a precise knowledge of their larval coexistence data is essential. The aim of this study is to investigate their coexistence and the intraguild predation of Ch. albiceps on L. sericata under experimental conditions and in real case reports. To analyse intra- and interspecific competition, four densities were used under controlled abiotic conditions [25ºC, 60-70% RH and 12:12 (D:N)]. The experimental data were compared with data corresponding to their coexistence in natural conditions, so annual activity and forensic case reports for both species were studied. The results indicate that the mortality of immature specimens in both species, the preimaginal developmental time, and adult size were affected by competition. In natural conditions, adult coexistence during the spring-summer period was confirmed. The simultaneity of the two species colonising human corpses is frequent in the studied area, with Ch. albiceps being the dominant species, and L. sericata the relevant species for estimating the minimum postmortem interval.
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Ivorra T, García-Martínez B, Martínez-Sánchez A. First Life Table of Synthesiomyia nudiseta (Diptera: Muscidae) From Palearctic Region for Analyzing the Effect on Its Dispersal Ability. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2021; 58:2247-2254. [PMID: 34279664 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjab129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
To better understand the population dynamics and dispersal ability of insect species, it is often helpful to derive a life table containing fundamental demographic data. The aim of this study was to determine a life table for the predatory necrophagous species Synthesiomyia nudiseta (van der Wulp, 1883) on a pig liver diet and under controlled laboratory conditions (29.5 ± 2. 5°C, RH 50 ± 15%, and a photoperiod of 12:12). This species has medical and veterinary importance and its distribution extends in tropical and subtropical areas and now it has been established in the southwestern of Europe. The mean adult longevity was 36. 18 ± 2. 06 d and the net reproduction rate, R, was 27.65 offspring/female, the mean generation time, T, was 22. 09 d, the finite rate of increase, λ, was 1. 16 d-1, and the intrinsic rate of increase, r, was 0. 15 d-1. These results indicate that S. nudiseta cannot be considered an r-strategist as the most common synanthropic necrophagous blowflies due to its predatory behavior; however, its invasive and colonist abilities are discussed. This is the first life table study of this species from Palearctic region to analyze the effect of its dispersal ability.
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Ivorra T, Martínez-Sánchez A, Rojo S. Review of Synthesiomyia nudiseta (Diptera: Muscidae) as a useful tool in forensic entomology. Int J Legal Med 2021; 135:2003-2015. [PMID: 33738569 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-021-02543-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 02/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Synthesiomyia nudiseta (van der Wulp, 1883) is a synanthropic muscid found in tropical and subtropical zones around the world. The larvae of this species are a secondary agent of myiasis with necrophagous habits and play an important role in forensic entomology, as they are used as an indicator of post-mortem interval. Adults can be considered vectors of etiological agents such as Escherichia coli and Shigella dysenteriae. Due to its ability to adapt to different environmental conditions, its high dispersal capacity (shown by its introduction to Europe), its predatory habits in the last larval stage and the difficulty of identifying it, a very important goal is to update our knowledge about this species. Therefore, the main objective of this paper is to review the identification, geographical distribution and biology of this species in order to provide better support to investigations involving this fly.
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Zaini NA, Ivorra T, Azmiera N, Natasha NA, Heo CC. Commentary on article: Aerobic microbe community and necrophagous insects associated with decomposition of pig carrion poisoned with lead by Aneyo et al. (DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.legalmed.2019.101638). Leg Med (Tokyo) 2020; 48:101818. [PMID: 33271415 DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2020.101818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Ivorra T, Hauser M, Low VL, Tomberlin JK, Nur Aliah NA, Cammack JA, Heo CC. Hermetia illucens and Hermetia fenestrata (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) Colonization of "Spoiled" Stingless Bee Geniotrigona thoracica (Hymenoptera: Apidae) Hives in Malaysia. INSECTS 2020; 11:E737. [PMID: 33121084 PMCID: PMC7693061 DOI: 10.3390/insects11110737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Revised: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Meliponiculture, the keeping of domesticated stingless bees such as Geniotrigona thoracica (Smith, 1857) (Hymenoptera: Apidae), is an increasingly popular agricultural industry in Malaysia. This study reports the soldier fly (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) species of the genus Hermetia colonizing stingless bee colonies in Malaysia. The larvae were reared in the laboratory to the adult stage and identified through molecular and morphological approaches. Hermetia illucens (Linnaeus, 1758) and Hermetia fenestrata de Meijere, 1904 (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) were identified from the sample provided. Earlier records of stratiomyids in stingless bee nests were misidentified as H. illucens. This paper represents the first identified record of H. fenestrata colonizing a "spoiled" stingless bee colony. In addition, adult and larval morphological differences between both species and the roles of both species in bee nest decomposition are discussed.
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Ivorra T, Martínez-Sánchez A, Rojo S. Predatory behavior of Synthesiomyia nudiseta larvae (Diptera: Muscidae) on several necrophagous blowfly species (Diptera: Calliphoridae). Int J Legal Med 2018; 133:651-660. [PMID: 30238161 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-018-1922-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2018] [Accepted: 08/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Intraguild interactions play a prominent role in sarcosaprophagous communities, so intraspecific and interspecific competition phenomena between fly larvae take place. Synthesiomyia nudiseta is a species that has recently been recorded on human corpses in Europe, and it has been cited in forensic cases in Spain and Italy. The mature larvae are known to be facultative predators on necrophagous fly larvae, but their role as predators is unknown. The aim of this paper is to investigate the predatory behavior of S. nudiseta on the most abundant blowfly larvae in sarcosaprophagous communities in southwestern Europe (i.e., Chrysomya albiceps, Lucilia sericata, and Calliphora vicina). Intraspecific and interspecific competition experiments were carried out to study the effect of this species in the necrophagous diptera community. First-instar larvae were placed in plastic cups with the same amount of pig liver (15 g) at different densities (50, 100, 150, and 300 individuals/cup). Mortality in blowflies increased when S. nudiseta larvae were present: up to 98.40% in Ch. albiceps, 89.60% in L. sericata, and 84.93% in C. vicina. Pre-imaginal developmental time and adult wing size were analyzed and compared under each of the intraspecific and interspecific conditions; both variables were affected by competition in all cases. The implications of the presence of S. nudiseta for sarcosaprophagous community dynamics and its effect on the estimation of postmortem interval (PMI) are discussed.
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Velásquez Y, Ivorra T, Grzywacz A, Martínez-Sánchez A, Magaña C, García-Rojo A, Rojo S. Larval morphology, development and forensic importance of Synthesiomyia nudiseta (Diptera: Muscidae) in Europe: a rare species or just overlooked? BULLETIN OF ENTOMOLOGICAL RESEARCH 2013; 103:98-110. [PMID: 22929039 DOI: 10.1017/s0007485312000491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
The muscid Synthesiomyia nudiseta (van der Wulp, 1883) is a species with forensic importance in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. This fly has recently been introduced into southern Europe and, until now, had not been recorded in forensic cases in this region. Here, morphology of all larval instars of S. nudiseta is documented in detail by using a combination of light and scanning electron microscopy. Literature data concerning larval morphology are revised and characters allowing identification from other forensically important Muscidae are listed. The life cycle of this species was studied at four constant temperatures: 15, 20, 25 and 30 °C. Total development varied between 46.50 ± 0.97 days at 15 °C and 15.39 ± 0.32 days at 30 °C. Moreover, we report this species breeding in human corpses, for the first time in Europe, in forensic cases from autopsies at the Anatomical Forensic Institute of Madrid and the Institute of Legal Medicine of Alicante, Spain.
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