title: Using Frons Width to Differentiate Blow Fly Species (Diptera: Calliphoridae) Phormia regina (Meigen) and Protophormia terraenovae (Robineau-Desvoidy).
abstract: Protophormia terraenovae (Robineau-Desvoidy) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) and Phormia regina (Meigen) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) are morphologically similar blow fly species commonly used for estimating postmortem intervals. Field collection and storage of adults can result in color changes, in particular on calypters and palps; often collected specimens show damage such as wing fray or fungal growth. We measured the frons width: total head width ratio using photographs (ImageJ version 1.49) to differentiate these two species. Both sexes were distinguishable to species, with the greatest difference between males: 12.34% P. terraenovae versus 1.62% P. regina, less so for females: 40.25% P. terraenovae, versus 33.65% P. regina. Incorporating this feature into future blow fly keys would help with distinguishing field-caught specimens when other features are obstructed.
authors.affiliation: Environmental and Life Sciences Graduate Program, Trent University, 1600 West Bank Drive, Peterborough, ON, K9J 7B, Canada.
authors.forename: Sarah V
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Langer
authors.affiliation: Forensic Science Department, Trent University, 1600 West Bank Drive, Peterborough, ON, K9J 7B, Canada.
authors.forename: Christopher J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Kyle
authors.affiliation: Biology Department, Trent University, 1600 West Bank Drive, Peterborough, ON, K9J 7B, Canada.
authors.forename: David V
authors.initials: DV
authors.lastname: Beresford
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004175:Diptera / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D004772:Entomology; D005260:Female; D005546:Forehead / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D008297:Male; D010781:Photography
keywords: Calliphoridae; cytochrome oxidase I gene; forensic entomology; forensic science; morphology; species determination