Distinction among the puparia of three blowfly species (Diptera: Calliphoridae) frequently found on unburied corpses

Abstract

Calliphorid larvae are important in the decomposition of carrion. Since these larvae are present in the primary stages of succession on carcasses, they may be important indicators of death time and the movement of corpses in homicide investigations. In this study we examined the morphological differences among puparia of Chrysomya megacephala, C. putoria and Cochliomyia macellaria. Puparia of the three species (N=30, each) were obtained from the F2 generation bred in culture medium at 25 degrees C, and 60% relative humidity on a 12 h photoperiod. The interspecific differences found were related to the conspicuousness of six tubercles located in the region near the posterior spiracles and to the distance between the two peritrema involving the spiracles. The latter were (mean +/- SD) 15.2 +/- 3.1 microm for C. megacephala, 18.8 +/- 2.8 microm for C. putoria and 16.5 +/- 3.5 microm for C. macellaria. The results of the present study may be useful in forensic entomology.