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30-04-2024 | Original Article

Bionomics, reproductive traits and assessment of forensic relevance of Peckia (Peckia) chrysostoma (Wiedemann, 1830) (Diptera: Sarcophagidae)

Authors: Henrique Rafael Pontes Ferreira, Taciano de Moura Barbosa, Simão Dias Vasconcelos

Published in: International Journal of Legal Medicine | Issue 5/2024

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Abstract

Peckia (Peckia) chrysostoma (Wiedemann, 1830) (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) is a colonizer of cadavers in the Neotropical Region. Nevertheless, data on development for the P. (P.) chrysostoma (e.g., instar duration) and behavioral strategies used by the species for locating and colonizing a corpse are scant. We aimed to explore bionomic and reproductive aspects of the flesh fly P. (P.) chrysostoma, and in this article we: (a) provide quantitative data on the life cycle of P. (P.) chrysostoma; (b) present bionomic measurements (length and weight) of larvae and pupae; (c) describe intrauterine egg and larvae development; and (d) analyze the ovo/larviposition behavior by gravid females. Females showed ovaries with discernible eggs and larvae between 8 and 10 days ( = 23.3 eggs/female). This study reports the first observation of egg deposition, an atypical behavior for the species. The average development time for immature stages was 22.24 h and 21.36 h for 1st and 2nd respectively, and 3rd showed an average development time of 80.47 h. Pupa had the longest duration ( = 295.69 h). A direct increase was observed in weight (P < 0.05) and length (P < 0.05) throughout time. The average survival time of males and females is approximately 30 days. This study expands the knowledge on P. (P.) chrysostoma, such as facultative ovoviviparity under laboratory conditions and the life cycle, which may benefit future studies for accuracy in entomology-based estimation of minimum post-mortem interval (min PMI).
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Metadata
Title
Bionomics, reproductive traits and assessment of forensic relevance of Peckia (Peckia) chrysostoma (Wiedemann, 1830) (Diptera: Sarcophagidae)
Authors
Henrique Rafael Pontes Ferreira
Taciano de Moura Barbosa
Simão Dias Vasconcelos
Publication date
30-04-2024
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
International Journal of Legal Medicine / Issue 5/2024
Print ISSN: 0937-9827
Electronic ISSN: 1437-1596
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-024-03242-y