Description of immature stages of the flesh flyPeckia(Sarcodexia)lambens(Wiedemann) (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) provides better resolution for taxonomy and forensics

Abstract

The necrophagous and saprophagous flesh fly Peckia (Sarcodexia) lambens and other flesh flies are similar to one another in general external morphology. Owing to these similarities, larvae are often misidentified, which cause errors in forensic analysis. Here, to resolve these potential problems, we describe immature stages of Peckia (Sarcodexia) lambens using scanning and optical microscopy, in which we emphasize conspicuous characters for possible identification. The dorsal bridge reaches the parastomal bars in first instar larvae (in contrast with some other flesh flies). Additionally, in other larval stages, mouthhook shape, pseudocephalon, distribution of spines and the anal segment may be important characters to identify species. Figures are also included for characters clarification.

Morphology of Third Instar Peckia chrysostoma (Wiedemann, 1830) and Blaesoxipha plinthopyga (Wiedemann, 1830) (Sarcophagidae); Species of Forensic Importance

“…Post-feeding larvae (3 rd instar larvae that have stopped feeding and have begun the migration process) were prepared for examination using methods as described by Buenaventura (2013) and (Vairo et al 2015). Fifty larvae were taken from established colonies.…”

The first instar larva of two species of Miltogramminae (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) from the Middle East – examples of peculiar morphology

“…Draber-Mo nko et al 2009;Paños-Nicolas et al 2015;Ubero-Pascal et al 2015;Vairo et al 2015). Draber-Mo nko et al 2009;Paños-Nicolas et al 2015;Ubero-Pascal et al 2015;Vairo et al 2015).…”

“…Recent studies have provided extensive high-quality information on the larval morphology of the flesh flies (e.g. Draber-Mo nko et al 2009;Paños-Nicolas et al 2015;Ubero-Pascal et al 2015;Vairo et al 2015). Substantial progress has been made, particularly for the subfamily Miltogramminae, where early pre-imaginal stages of dozens of species have been described for the first time, or their morphology has been extensively revised (Szpila and Pape 2005a,b, 2007, 2008, 2013Szpila 2010;Pape and Szpila 2012).…”