Studies on the morphology and taxonomy of the immature stages of calliphoridae, with analysis of phylogenetic relationships within the family, and between it and other groups in the cyclorrhapha (diptera)

The present study deals with the taxonomy and morphology of the immature stages of the Diptera family Calliphoridae (blowflies). The eggs were studied, using both the light and the scanning electron microscopes, and structural features were found that enable specific identification. The larvae and puparia of some sixty species were studied, and a large number of new characters were found that enable the separation of species reliably. In addition, various anatomical details, especially of the cephalopharyngeal skeleton, have been elucidated. The cephalopharyngeal skeletons of various related families were studied and compared with the Calliphorid structure. Descriptions of the larvae of sixty species are presented, and keys to various groups, especially those of medical or veterinary importance, are given. A discussion of the evolution and phylogeny of the Calliphoridae and related families is presented, based on the above-mentioned morphological studies and other evidence

The origin of parasitism in blowflies

Volume: 2Start Page: 125End Page: 12

Pragmatypes And The Role Of The Commission: A Reply To Dr P.k. Tubbs

Volume: 45Start Page: 48End Page: 4

On the introduction of the term pragmatype, and some comments on the role of the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature. Reply

Volume: 44Start Page: 156End Page: 15

Geographic origin affects larval competitive ability in European populations of the blow fly, Lucilia sericata

The blow fly, Lucilia sericata (Meigen) (Diptera: Calliphoridae), is found throughout Europe. In northern areas, in addition to breeding in carrion, it can also commonly act as primary facultative ectoparasite of sheep, resulting in animal suffering and production losses. However, in the south of Europe, L. Sericata is not usually implicated in myiasis and is found almost entirely in carrion. The causes of this behavioural difference are unclear. To begin to address the possible reasons for this difference, the present study examined the effects of competition on the survival and development of L. Sericata populations derived from southern Spain, England, and a hybrid derived from a cross between Spanish females and UK males. Larvae were reared at a range of different initial densities and the mortality, development rate, and size of the resultant adults were measured. Mortality increased significantly with density, but the Spanish population had a significantly higher mortality rate than the UK population at all densities. Similarly, adult size declined with increased larval density, but individuals from the Spanish population were consistently larger than those from the UK population at all densities. The mortality and size of the hybrids was consistently intermediate between the Spanish and UK populations. No consistent effects on development rate were observed. This study demonstrates that insects from northwestern and southern European population have qualitatively different life history traits and competitive abilities and may contribute towards explaining the different behaviour of populations of this species in different part of its distribution range.Financial support was provided by the Spanish Ministry of Environment (Project 040/2002) and the European Commission (LIFE05 ENV/E/000302)