A preliminary evaluation on bivariate allometry in active-feeding Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius, 1794) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) larvae

The potential use of larval cephalopharyngeal skeleton as an alternative growth indicator in forensic entomology practice was assessed based on its developmental pattern, growth performance, and allometric relationship with the larval body. Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius, 1794), was used as an experimental species and larval development was studied at ambient temperatures and relative humidity. Larval body size was measured from the furthest part of the head to the last abdominal segment. The cephalopharyngeal skeleton was extracted from the body and measured from the tip of the dorsal bridge to the left face of the dorsal cornu. Daily progression of larval body length and cephalopharyngeal skeleton length showed the latter significantly had slower growth rates. The allometry of the larval body and cephalopharyngeal skeleton showed they were correlated only because both variables increased across the three larval instars, suggesting a spurious correlation. Separate bivariate correlations between the two variables showed only the first instar larvae had a significant (p<0.01) but weak correlation, r=0.33. However, removing the effect of larval instars still produced a statistically significant correlation (p<0.001) albeit with moderate strength, r=0.57. From this study, there was not enough evidence to support the cephalopharyngeal skeleton as an equal or a better alternative to the larval body as a growth indicator

Sarcophaga dux Thomson (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) recovered from wrapped body of an infant: its evidential value

The decomposed body of a male infant was found in an oil palm estate in Rengit, Batu Pahat, Johor wrapped with clothes. Entomological specimens recovered in this case were flesh fly larvae, Sarcophaga (Liosarcophaga) dux Thomson and Sarcophaga peregrina (Robineau-Desvoidy) (Diptera: Sarcophagidae). Minimum post mortem interval (PMImin) was approximately 48 hrs based on the largest specimen, i.e. S. dux. This species has been featured as forensically important species in Malaysia but scarcity of developmental data and bionomics in cadaver environment limit its utilization in forensic case. Issues pertaining its evidential value in this case and recommendations are described herein

A preliminary geometric morphometrics assessment of two forensically important blow fly larvae in Malaysia, Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius) and Chrysomya rufifacies (Macquart) (Diptera: Calliphoridae)

In forensic entomology, the age of blow fly larvae (Diptera: Calliphoridae) that feed on decomposing human tissues can be used as reference in minimum post mortem interval (mPMI) estimation. To establish mPMI based on larval age, it is important to correctly identify larva species based on their morphological characteristics as larval developments from where they were collected are species-specific. Recently, landmark-based geometric morphometric analysis has been found useful to discriminate species and provide visual shape variations. The objective of this study was to assess the utilization of this technique on two forensically important blow fly species in Malaysia, i.e. the Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius) and Chrysomya rufifacies (Macquart) based on the cephalopharyngeal skeletons of the larvae. A total of 10 landmarks on cephalopharyngeal skeleton were established and analyzed with geometric morphometric functions in MorphoJ™ software. Cephalopharyngeal skeleton centroid size, which represented the individual cephalopharyngeal skeleton shape profile, were statistically different between C. megacephala and C. rufifacies (p<0.001). Based on the landmark plot shifts, the two species could be differentiated based of parastomal bar, the clipeal arc, apical hook, upper margin of ventral cornu and lower margin of ventral cornu. These differences were well defined in visual presentation by using principal component analysis with 100% cross validation reassignment percentage. However, large scale study should be considered for a more complete cephalopharyngeal skeleton shapes profiles of forensically important Calliphoridae

Exploring the legal aspects and court process of forensic entomology from the Malaysia’s perspective

This paper seeks to explore the legal aspects and court process relating to forensic entomology with reference to Malaysia. It aims to inform the non-legal person of the court process and giving of evidence in Malaysia’s court by expert witnesses such as forensic entomologist. The methodology used is a socio-legal analysis with reference to legal texts and statutes in Malaysia. Online search on the number of reported cases published in two legal journals relating to evidence by forensic entomologist was conducted. The finding from the reported cases where entomologist testify in court as an expert witness is scarce and so few assumptions were made on this. A brief case studies on the selected reported cases were chosen to explain the use of forensic entomology in the court process. This paper suggests that entomologists’ evidence on the issue of the time of death is important as accordingly, a charge sheet in the homicide cases must contain the time of death and prove in court. It is also suggested that recognition is given to forensic entomologists and that the Allied Health Professions Act 2016 [Act 774] which to regulate the practise of allied health of professionals including entomologists, be in force soon

A new genus of scuttle fly (diptera: phoridae) from Malaysia

Imparphora gen. nov., a new genus of scuttle fly is described from Malaysia. The Imparphora pahangensis sp. nov. is the type species of the new genus. A total of six mature females species and a male were collected from baited traps along UKM’s Trail at Fraser’s Hill Research Centre, Pahang. These findings expand the species diversity of scuttle flies in Malaysia especially in the highland forest. The comparisons with the nearest genera were explained herein

The effect of burned liver on the length, weight and development of Megaselia scalaris (Loew) (Diptera: Phoridae) – a preliminary assessment and implications in forensic entomology

Development of insects in laboratory for minimum post mortem interval estimation (mPMI) or time of colonisation (TOC) in forensic entomology can be affected by the type and quality of food consumed during larval period. Since mPMI estimation also involves analysis of larval specimens collected from burned human remains, it is important to study if burned tissues could affect growth of sarcosaprophagous larvae. This study investigated the effect of burned tissues on the size and developmental period of Megaselia scalaris (Loew) (Diptera: Phoridae), a species of forensic importance. Development of M. scalaris on 75 g burned cow’s liver was compared with control liver in three study replicates. Mean larval length (2.87 ± 0.11 mm) and weight (0.81 ± 0.08 mg) of M. scalaris larvae in burned liver diets were significantly lower than larval length (5.03 ± 0.15 mm) and weight (2.85 ± 0.21 mg) of control liver diets (p < 0.001) whilst mean pupal length (2.53 ± 0.06 mm) and weight (0.92 ± 0.06 mg) in burned liver diets were significantly lower than pupal length (3.52 ± 0.06 mm) and weight (2.84 ± 0.16 mg) in control liver diets (p < 0.001). Development of larvae in burned liver was 5-9 hours slower than those feeding on control liver based on single observation. Although the assessment is preliminary, the findings indicate physical growth of larvae feeding on burned animal tissues was affected and entomological specimens recovered from burned remains should be evaluated carefully to avoid errors in mPMI/TOC estimation. Limitations and suggestions for further research are also presented herei

Records of Woodiphora Schmitz (Diptera: Phoridae) from animal carcasses in Bangi, Malaysia

Four species of Woodiphora Schmitz were collected from rabbit carcasses placed in concealed environments in Bangi, Malaysia. A male Woodiphora distans (Borgmeier) was collected from a rabbit carcass placed inside a luggage case. The other three female Woodiphora were recorded from a rabbit carcass placed inside a water tank and could not be named until linked to their males. This report extends the knowledge of Woodiphora in this region and its association with animal carcasses

A bionomic study of parasitoids in the Taman Beringin landfill in Kepong and a poultry farm in Sungai Pelek, Selangor, Malaysia

A four-month cross-sectional study found five species of parasitoids parasitizing puparia of filth flies breeding at the Taman Beringin landfill in Kepong and a poultry farm in Sungai Pelek, Sepang, Selangor. Effect of monthly rainfalls towards density of flies and percentage of parasitoids emerging from collected puparia were also analyzed. Spalangia sp. was the most common, consisting of Spalangia endius Walker, S. cameroni Perkins and S. gemina Boucek. Other parasitoids collected were Pachycrepoideus vindemmiae Rondani and Exoristobia phillipinensis Ashmead. The parasitized fly hosts were Musca domestica Linn. and Chrysomya megacephala Fabricius. S. endius was the most common parasitoid attacking M. domestica at both locations. M. domestica was the most common fly found at the Sg. Pelek poultry farm whereas C. megacephala was the most numerous at the Taman Beringin landfill. During heavy rainfall month of November 2003, density of flies were high whereas the emerging parasitoids were low at both landfill and poultry farm. The present study revealed the endemic presence of parasitoids especially S. endius in both poultry farm and garbage landfill and the potential of the parasitoid species in fly control in Malaysia

First record of Dahliphora sigmoides Schmitz (Diptera: Phoridae) in Malaysia on animal carcass in concealed environment

Dahliphora sigmoides Schmitz (Diptera: Phoridae) was recorded for the first time in Malaysia, occurring on animal carcass placed in garbage bin at Forensic Science Simulation Site, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi. This finding expands the knowledge of its distribution in this region. Notes on the species description, its locality and collection procedure are presented herein

Description of larval instars of chrysomya rufifacies (Macquart) (Diptera: Calliphoridae), a species of forensic importance in Malaysia.

The anatomical structures of the first, second and third instars of Chrysomya rufifacies (Macquart) were examined by light microscopy. Observations were documented on the three main characteristics; the cephalopharyngeal skeleton, anterior spiracle and posterior spiracle. The first instar larva bore cornuae of fairly pigmented delineation with slim hypostomal sclerite and distinct dental sclerite. First instar did not have obscured anterior spiracle but posterior spiracles were obscured with thin lining of opened peritreme. Intersegmental spines were evident. The second instar larva displayed a prominent anterodorsal process approaching closer to hypostomal sclerite while upper margin of the dorsal cornua was slightly pigmented. Each anterior spiracle consisted of nine to ten papillae, arranged in a single row. Peritreme of the posterior spiracle thick, opening at the end of peritreme was not wide and confined to two spiracular slits. The third instar larva showed a prominent arch of the ventral cornua with broad and bold appearance. It approached the dorsal cornua and became narrow at the incision median. The anterior spiracle consisted of a single row of nine to ten papillae while intersegmental spine could be identified with one to three dark pigmented tips. A dark pigmented and wide periterime was observed confining three short and thick spiracular slits while button was poorly pigmented. The most distinctive feature of this second and third instar larva was the slender, thorn-like tubercle with numerous spined tips on the middle line segment of the body. These findings provide identification features of C. rufifacies larvae instars