title: Larval morphology of Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) using scanning electron microscopy.
abstract: The larval morphology of Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius) is presented using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Extreme similarity of this species to Chrysomya rufifacies (Macquart), a species usually found concurrently inhabiting decomposing human corpses in Thailand, is seen only in the first-instar larvae. The relative thickness of the branches of the posterior spiracular hairs in these species could be used to differentiate them in this developmental stage. In contrast, the "hairy" appearance of C. rufifacies allows second- and third-instar larvae to be easily distinguished. Results of this study should help in future endeavors to differentiate C. megacephala from other larvae found in decomposing human corpses in Thailand.
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand.
authors.forename: Kabkaew L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Sukontason
authors.forename: Kom
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sukontason
authors.forename: Somsak
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Piangjai
authors.forename: Noppawan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Boonchu
authors.forename: Tarinee
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Chaiwong
authors.forename: Roy C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Vogtsberger
authors.forename: Budsabong
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kuntalue
authors.forename: Natchanart
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Thijuk
authors.forename: Jimmy K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Olson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002102:Cadaver; D004175:Diptera / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D005554:Forensic Medicine; D007814:Larva / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning