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. 2021 Apr 1;12(4):312.
doi: 10.3390/insects12040312.

Technical Note: Effects of Makeshift Storage in Different Liquors on Larvae of the Blowflies Calliphora vicina and Lucilia sericata (Diptera: Calliphoridae)

Senta Niederegger  1
Affiliations

Technical Note: Effects of Makeshift Storage in Different Liquors on Larvae of the Blowflies Calliphora vicina and Lucilia sericata (Diptera: Calliphoridae)

Senta Niederegger. Insects. .

Abstract

Unexpected findings of forensically important insects might prompt makeshift storage in alternative liquids if the proper equipment is lacking. The assessment of whether such evidence can still be used and correctly interpreted can be difficult. In this study, the effects of using alcoholic beverages as storing agents for post-feeding larvae of Calliphora vicina and Lucilia sericata were analyzed. Larvae were killed with boiling water (HWK) or placed alive into four alcoholic liquids: two spirits, vodka and brandy, and two liquors, Jägermeister and peppermint schnapps. Storage effects were documented after one day, nine days, and one month and compared to larvae treated according to guidelines for forensic entomology. Results show that the method of killing larvae is more important than the storing medium. Storage of HWK larvae in high-alcohol/low-sugar spirits had almost negligible effects on both species, while all fresh larvae shrank significantly. High sugar contents of the beverages might additionally lead to shrinkage of larvae.

Keywords: alternative storage; biological variation; casework; death time estimation; forensic entomology.

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Conflict of interest statement

The author declares no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Larvae of Calliphora vicina after one day in 70% ethanol, (a) fresh: larvae placed into liquid while alive, (b) HWK: larvae hot-water-killed before placement in liquid.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Percentage changes in lengths for Calliphora vicina (left column) and Lucilia sericata (right column) post-feeding larvae after hot-water-killing (HWK) and storage in four alcoholic liquids for 1 day, 9 days, and 1 month compared to HWK larvae in 70% ethanol (=100%).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Percentage changes in lengths for Calliphora vicina (left columns) and Lucilia sericata (right columns) post-feeding larvae stored alive in five alcoholic liquids for 1 day, 9 days, and 1 month compared to hot-water-killed (HWK) larvae in 70% ethanol.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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