Morphology of immature stages of flesh flies, Boettcherisca nathani and Lioproctia pattoni (Diptera: Sarcophagidae)

Abstract

© 2016 Elsevier B.V. The flesh flies are medically-important because the larvae found in the human corpses can provide evidence in forensic investigations through larva identification and their developmental rate. Firstly, we thoroughly described the larval morphology of Boettcherisca nathani and Lioproctia pattoni, using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The third instar of the two species differed markedly in two characters: (1) spines between the prothorax and mesothorax−B. nathani has more or less slender triangular spines, with those at the posterior region more slender than the anterior region; whereas L. pattoni has stout triangular spines with one or two tips anteriorly, with smaller and tapered triangular shape, grouped two to four laterally in the posterior end, and (2) morphology of the peristigmatic tufts at the posterior spiracle−B. nathani has extensively branched long, fine hairs, whereas tufts in L. pattoni have moderately branched long, fine hairs. The anterior spiracle displayed similarity; B. nathani has two irregular rows of 21–27 papillae, while L. pattoni has a single irregular row of 20–28 papillae. Secondly, we use light microscopy to compare morphology of the third instar of the two species and additional three species, i.e., Bercaea africa, Parasarcophaga dux and Liopygia ruficornis. Particular attention was paid to the features of anterior spiracle, spines between prothorax and mesothorax and posterior spiracle. These results are useful in species identification and estimation of age of larvae found associated with corpses.