Composicao das especies de moscas-varejeiras do lixo no norte da Tailandia: avaliacao da altitude

Distribution and occurrence of blow flies of forensic importance was performed during 2007 and 2008 in Chiang Mai and Lampang Provinces, northern Thailand. Surveys were conducted in forested areas for 30 minutes using a sweep net to collected flies attracted to a bait. A total of 2,115 blow flies belonging to six genera and 14 species were collected; Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius) (44.7%), C. pinguis (Walker) (15.1%), C. chani Kurahashi (9.3%), C. thanomthini Kurahashi & Tumrasvin (0.3%); Achoetandrus rufifacies (Macquart) (10.5%), A. villeneuvi (Patton) (2.2%); Lucilia papuensis Macquart (2.2%), L. porphyrina (Walker) (12.4%), L. sinensis Aubertin (0.7%); Hemipyrellia ligurriens (Wiedemann) (1.3%), H. pulchra (Wiedemann) (0.1%); Hypopygiopsis infumata (Bigot) (0.6%), Hy. tumrasvini Kurahashi (0.2%) and Ceylonomyia nigripes Aubertin (0.4%). Among them, C. megacephala was the predominant species collected, particularly in the summer. The species likely to prevail in highland areas are C. pinguis, C. thanomthini, Hy. tumrasvini, L. papuensis and L. porphyrina.Distribuição e ocorrência de moscas-varejeiras de importância forense foi realizada durante 2007 e 2008 nas províncias de Chiang Mai e Lampang, norte da Tailândia. Os levantamentos foram feitos em áreas de florestas, durante 30 minutos usando rede de varredura para coletar as moscas atraídas por iscas. Um total de 2115 moscas-varejeiras pertencentes a seis gêneros e 14 espécies foram coletados; Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius) (44,7%), C. pinguis (Walker) (15,1%), C. chani Kurahashi (9,3%), C. thanomthini Kurahashi & Tumrasvin (0,3%); Achoetandrus rufifacies (Macquart) (10,5%), A. villeneuvi (Patton) (2,2%); Lucilia papuensis Macquart (2,2%), L. porphyrina (Walker) (12,4%), L. sinensis Aubertin (0,7%); Hemipyrellia ligurriens (Wiedemann) (1,3%), H. pulchra (Wiedemann) (0,1%); Hypopygiopsis infumata (Bigot) (0,6%), Hy. tumrasvini Kurahashi (0,2%) e Ceylonomyia nigripes Aubertin (0,4%). Dentre elas a C. megacephala foi a espécie predominante coletada particularmente no verão. As espécies capazes de predominar nas áreas altas são: C. pinguis, C. thanomthini, Hy. tumrasvini, L. papuensis e L. porphyrina

Sarcophaga (Liosarcophaga) dux (Diptera: Sarcophagidae): A flesh fly species of medical importance

BACKGROUND: Although tropical climate of Thailand is suitably endowed with biodiversity of insects, flies of medical importance is not well investigated. Using information from literature search, fly survey approach and specialist's experience, we review database of Sarcophaga (Liosarcophaga) dux Thomson (Diptera: Sarcophagidae), one of the priorities flesh fly species of medical importance in Thailand. RESULTS: This review deals with morphology, bionomics and medical involvement. Important morphological characteristics of egg, larva, puparia and adult were highlighted with illustration and/or micrographs. Search pertaining to molecular analysis used for fly identification and developmental rate of larvae were included. Medical involvement of larvae was not only myiasis-producing agent in humans and animals, but associated with human death investigations. CONCLUSIONS: This information will enable us to accurate identify this species and to emphasis the increase medically important scene in Thailand

Bionomics of the oriental latrine fly Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius) (Diptera: Calliphoridae): temporal fluctuation and reproductive potential

Abstract Background Chrysomya megacephala is a blow fly species of medical and forensic importance worldwide. Understanding its bionomics is essential for both designing effective fly control programs and its use in forensic investigations. Methods The daily flight activity, seasonal abundance related to abiotic factors (temperature, relative humidity and rainfall) and reproductive potential of this species was investigated. Adult flies were sampled twice a month for one year from July 2013 to June 2014 in three different ecotypes (forest area, longan orchard and palm plantation) of Chiang Mai Province, northern Thailand, using semi-automatic funnel traps. One-day tainted beef offal was used as bait. Results A total of 88,273 flies were sampled, of which 82,800 flies (93.8%) were caught during the day (from 06:00 to 18:00 h); while 5473 flies (6.2%) were caught at night (from 18:00 to 06:00 h). Concurrently, the abundance of C. megacephala was higher in the forest area (n = 31,873; 36.1%) and palm plantation (n = 31,347; 35.5%), compared to the longan orchard (n = 25,053; 28.4%). The number of females was significantly higher than that of males, exhibiting a female to male sex ratio of 2.36:1. Seasonal fluctuation revealed the highest abundance of C. megacephala in summer, but low numbers in the rainy season and winter. Fly density was significantly positively correlated with temperature, but negatively correlated with relative humidity. No correlation between numbers of C. megacephala with rainfall was found. Activity occurred throughout the daytime with high numbers from 06:00 to 18:00 h in summer and 12:00 to 18:00 h in the rainy season and winter. As for the nocturnal flight activity, a small number of flies were collected in summer and the rainy season, while none were collected in the winter. Dissection of the females indicated that fecundity was highest during the rainy season, followed by winter and summer. Conclusions Since the assessment of daily, seasonal activity and the reproductive potential of C. megacephala remains a crucial point to be elucidated, this extensive study offers insights into bionomics, which may be considered for integrated fly control strategies and forensic entomology issues

Predicting Geographic Distribution of Forensically Significant Blow Flies of Subfamily Chrysomyinae (Diptera: Calliphoridae) in Northern Thailand

Blow flies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) are carrion-breeding flies that are commonly used as evidence in forensic investigation. An adequate knowledge of ecological and geographical data of blow fly has a direct application in forensic science, as far as estimating time of colonization or corpse relocation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of four species of Chrysomyinae (Chrysomya pinguis, Chrysomya chani, Chrysomya villeneuvi, and Ceylonomyia nigripes) across six land use types in central Chiang Mai, northern Thailand. Eighteen study sites were selected for sampling across three districts of Chiang Mai province (Mueang Chiang Mai, Mae Rim, and Hang Dong). Adult flies were collected every two weeks using a funnel trap baited with 1-day tainted beef offal. The predicted geographic distributions of forensically important blow fly species were modeled using the computer program ArcGIS, based on selected climatic variables (temperature, relative humidity, and light intensity) recorded at study sites. During the study period, 1298 adult flies were collected, with peak fly occurrence during summer (April–May). Seasonal fluctuation patterns varied depending on fly species. Climatic factors displayed diverse impact on associated fly populations. Identified species were restricted mainly to mixed deciduous forests (MDF) especially in the mountainous area. None of these flies were trapped in an urban area

Spatial Distribution of Forensically Significant Blow Flies in Subfamily Luciliinae (Diptera: Calliphoridae), Chiang Mai Province, Northern Thailand: Observations and Modeling Using GIS

Blow flies of the subfamily Luciliinae (Diptera: Calliphoridae) are one of the main forensically important subfamilies globally. In addition to being used to estimate the minimum post-mortem interval (PMImin), assuming colonization occurred after death, blow fly specimens found infesting a human corpse are used to determine if the corpse was relocated or if the individual ingested narcotics prior to death. The presence of these blow flies in a given area is strongly influenced by abiotic and biotic factors, such as temperature, elevation, and habitat. Having this information, along with geographical distributions and the characteristics of preferred habitats, is necessary to better understand the biology of this group. This study aimed to characterize the spatial distribution of Luciliinae throughout 18 sampling sites within six ecozones (disturbed mixed deciduous forest, mixed deciduous forest, mixed orchard, paddy field, lowland village, and city/town) in central Chiang Mai Province, northern Thailand over one year (May 2009⁻May 2010). The purpose of the study was to elucidate the relationship of blow fly species composition with environmental abiotic factors (e.g., temperature, relative humidity, light intensity), and to predict the distribution of the common species within this subfamily using GIS. Adult collections were performed biweekly, baited with one-day-old beef offal. A total of 2331 Luciliinae flies trapped, comprising eight species, of which the four predominant species were Hemipyrellia ligurriens (Wiedemann) (n = 1428; 61.3%), Lucilia porphyrina (Walker) (n = 381; 16.3%), Hemipyrellia pulchra (Wiedemann) (n = 293; 12.6%), and Lucilia papuensis Macquart (n = 129; 5.5%). Population density across species varied seasonally, peaking in August 2009 coinciding with the rainy season. Predicting population composition was based on a model developed with ArcGIS 9.2, which utilized environmental variables (temperature, relative humidity, and light intensity) in conjunction with abundance data. Models indicated H. ligurriens had the most widespread geographic distribution, while H. pulchra was predicted to occur largely in mixed orchards and lowland villages. Lucilia porphyrina and L. papuensis were less widespread, restricted mainly to mixed deciduous forest. This model, along with knowledge of forensic information, may be useful under certain investigations where the corpse may have been relocated

Mitochondrial DNA-based identification of forensically important flesh flies (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) in Thailand

Flesh flies (Sarcophagidae) are necrophagous insects initially colonizing on a corpse. The species-specific developmental data of the flies collected from a death scene can be used to estimate the minimum postmortem interval (PMImin). Thus, the first crucial step is to correctly identify the fly species. Because of the high similarity among species of flesh flies, DNA-based identification is considered more favorable than morphology-based identification. In this study, we demonstrated the effectiveness of combined sequences (2216 to 2218 bp) of cytochrome c oxidase subunit I and II genes (COI and COII) for identification of the following 14 forensically important flesh fly species in Thailand: Boettcherisca nathani Lopes, Fengia ostindicae (Senior-White), Harpagophalla kempi (Senior-White), Liopygia ruficornis (Fabricius), Lioproctia pattoni (Senior-White), Lioproctia saprianovae (Pape & Bänziger), Parasarcophaga albiceps (Meigen), Parasarcophaga brevicornis (Ho), Parasarcophaga dux (Thomson), Parasarcophaga misera (Walker), Sarcorohdendorfia antilope (Böttcher), Sarcorohdendorfia inextricata (Walker), Sarcorohdendorfia seniorwhitei (Ho) and Seniorwhitea princeps (Wiedemann). Nucleotide variations of Thai flesh flies were evenly distributed throughout the COI-COII genes. Mean intra- and interspecific variations ranged from 0.00 to 0.96% and 5.22% to 12.31%, respectively. Using Best Match (BM) and Best Close Match (BCM) criteria, identification success for the combined genes was 100%, while the All Species Barcodes (ASB) criterion showed 76.74% success. Maximum Likelihood (ML) and Bayesian Inference (BI) phylogenetic analyses yielded similar tree topologies of monophyletic clades between species with very strong support values. The achieved sequences covering 14 forensically important flesh fly species including newly submitted sequences for B. nathani, F. ostindicae and S. seniorwhitei, can serve as a reliable reference database for further forensic entomological research in Thailand and in other areas where those species occur