Insects are important in the decomposition of cadavers. In the field of forensic entomology, the taxonomic identification is essential to proceed to any procedure. The use of these insects in medico criminal investigation is the object of forensic entomological studies; the flies are generally attracted to cadavers and one of the most important contributions is to estimate the postmortem interval. The scanning electron microscopy, which allows rapid and accurate identification of character could be used to help identify different species of forensics flies, has been highlighted as it allows better visualization of the external morphology of immature and some adults. The aim of this study was to describe the katepisternals in females of Morellia humeralis and Biopyrellia bipuncta; the ommatidia of the compounds eyes of the male of B. bipuncta; the antennae of females of Ophyra aenescens and Ophyra albuquerquei and the ocellar triangle of the last two species and O. chalcogaster examined by scanning electron microscopy to help increase the anatomical database on flies for forensic importance. The katepisternals of M. humeralis and B. bipuncta were densely covered by different groups of sensilla. The surface of the ocellar region of O. aenescens was not covered by sensilla, but in O. albuquerquei and O. chalcogaster were densely covered by different types of sensilla. The coeloconic sensilla were only found in the flagellum of O. albuquerquei.

No abstract

As moscas são insetos holometábolos, suas larvas são parasitas obrigatórios, alimentando-se dos tecidos vivos ou mortos do hospedeiro e merecem especial destaque em saúde pública, por produzirem miíases no homem e animais. Miíases são enfermidades comuns nas zonas rurais e periferias dos países tropicais. Este trabalho teve como objetivo identificar as espécies e instares larvais dos dípteros causadores de miíases humanas de pacientes atendidos em Hospitais Municipais (HM) e Clínicas da Saúde da Família (CSF) da cidade de Nova Iguaçu, RJ. Depois da retirada das larvas das lesões, estas foram sacrificadas em éter, lavadas em solução de NaCl a 0,9% e preservadas em etanol a 70%. Posteriormente, foram encaminhadas ao laboratório (LEMEF) onde foram transferidas para solução de KOH a 10% e, em seguida, para lactofenol. Após este processo, foram montadas entre lâmina e lamínula, analisadas com o auxílio de microscópio estereoscópico e identificadas com o uso de chaves dicotômicas específicas. Analisou-se um total de 880 larvas, sendo 730 provenientes de atendimentos das CSF e 150 larvas dos HM. Foram identificadas três diferentes espécies, das quais Cochliomyia hominivorax foi encontrada na maioria dos casos e, Dermatobia hominis e Fannia sp. com apenas um caso cada. Nas CSF observou-se uma predominância de larvas de 3º instar, resultado este corroborado pelos HM (461 e 105, respectivamente). Larvas faratas só foram identificadas nas amostras das CSF. A maior presença de 3º instar (idade entre três e sete dias) indica uma possível demora na procura dos pacientes pelas instituições de saúde para o tratamento.

Ophyra aenescens (black dump fly) originally belonged to the New World, however, now it is spread worldwide. This fly is a mechanical vector of some pathogenic microorganisms and eggs of the human botfly (Dermatobia hominis). The adults are associated with decaying matter and the immature stages colonize animal and human corpses. It is considered an important muscid species for forensic entomology. The aim of this study was to describe the morphology of the eggs, the three larval instars and the puparia of O. aenescens using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The spiracular opening of the first instar has an interruption in the middle of its length. Comparing to the other instar, the ventral tubercles are only developed in the first instar. The anterior spiracles have a variation in the numbers of spiracular ramification. The puparia morphology is similar to the third instar larvae, however the cephalic region is retracted and on the third thoracic segment, a respiratory structure is present. In conclusion, the SEM technique used and the results obtained are helpful to describe and differentiate the immature stages of O. aenescens and consequently support forensic and medical entomology.

Musca domestica (Linnaeus, 1758) is a muscoid species that is widespread throughout the world and acts as a mechanical vector of different enteropathogens primarily in underdeveloped countries. The adult and its immature forms are associated with decaying organic matter and can be seen visiting human corpses and animal carcass, and the larvae can also cause an infestation on human and animal wounds, feeding on the tissues. These characteristics make them have a forensic significance and, mainly, a great sanitary importance. This study aimed to analyze and describe morphological aspects of their immature stages of M. domestica, including the eggs, the first-, second-, and third-instar larvae, and the puparium using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The eggs have standard format that all muscoid flies shared. The exochorion has some modified cells that were used for embryonic respiration. The first-instar larvae present two openings on the posterior spiracle as in the second-instar larvae, but with the last one, we can observe the anterior spiracle structure. The third-instar larvae, as in some other Muscidae species, have a posterior spiracular opening with a sinuous form that is located near the edge of the spiracular plate. The puparium morphology is equal to the third instar with a respiratory structure that helps the breathing during the metamorphosis process. This article supports the need for knowledge over the morphological characteristics of the immature forms of the muscoid Diptera (Linnaeus, 1758) at the same time helping with the correct identification of this insect phase.