Development of the Oriental Latrine Fly, Chrysomya megacephala (Diptera: Calliphoridae), at Five Constant Temperatures.
Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius) is a forensically important fly that is found throughout the tropics and subtropics. We calculated the accumulated development time and transition points for each life stage from eclosion to adult emergence at five constant temperatures: 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35 °C. For each transition, the 10th, 50th, and 90th percentiles were calculated with a logistic linear model. The mean transition times and % survivorship were determined directly from the raw laboratory data. Development times of C. megacephala were compared with that of two other closely related species, Chrysomya rufifacies (Macquart) and Phormia regina (Meigen). Ambient and larval mass temperatures were collected from field studies conducted from 2001-2004. Field study data indicated that adult fly activity was reduced at lower ambient temperatures, but once a larval mass was established, heat generation occurred. These development times and durations can be used for estimation of a postmortem interval (PMI).
Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of Florida, 1881 Natural Area Dr., Gainesville, FL 32611 (savethemaggots@cox.net; Capinera@ufl.edu).
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Gruner
U.S. Geological Survey, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, 7920 NW 71st Street, Gainesville, FL 32653 (dslone@usgs.gov).
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Slone
Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of Florida, 1881 Natural Area Dr., Gainesville, FL 32611 (savethemaggots@cox.net; Capinera@ufl.edu).
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Capinera
Division of Herpetology, Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611 (mike@michaelturco.com).
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Turco
D000818:Animals; D004175:Diptera / Q000254:growth & development*; D005260:Female; D044707:Forensic Sciences; D007814:Larva / Q000254:growth & development; D008297:Male; D011180:Postmortem Changes; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors
Calliphoridae; forensic entomology