Identification of Megaselia scalaris (Loew, 1866) (Diptera: Phoridae) in mummified human body from Itacambira (MG), Brazil, using scanning electron microscopy and cuticular hydrocarbons

2015/12/07 by Marina Vianna Braga, Paloma Martins Mendonça, Rodrigo Rocha Barbosa +7 · 3 citations
Agricultural and Biological Sciences · #Forensic Entomology and Diptera Studies #Insect and Pesticide Research #Insect Utilization and Effects

paper · doi:10.1080/00222933.2015.1113320

Abstract

Insect puparia were found adhered to the ribs and other tissues in the abdominal cavity of a natural male mummy found in Itacambira (State of Minas Gerais, Brazil) dating to the Colonial Period. They were collected for identification by scanning electron microscopy, and for comparison of several morphological features with those described in the literature. The puparia were found open and dorsoventrally flattened, making it difficult to visualize the dorsal projections. The tegument is covered by tapered spines and contains rows of small tubercles on the dorsal and lateral regions of the puparium. The posterior spiracle consists of four parallel openings arranged in pairs. These results are indicative that the specimens belong to the species Megaselia scalaris (Loew, 1866) (Diptera: Phoridae). Additionally, cuticular hydrocarbons of the puparia were analysed by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry and compared with the profile of M. scalaris reared in the laboratory.

Cited by

• Decomposing in the dark. Experimental approaches to funerary archaeoentomology in volcanic caves
• A complete morphological characterization of all life stages of the phorid fly Megaselia scalaris. [europepmc]
• Postmortem Interval Estimation Based on the Developmental Patterns of Hemilucilia segmentaria (Fabricius) (Diptera, Calliphoridae) and Peckia (Euboettcheria) anguilla (Curran & Walley) (Diptera, Sarcophagidae): a Case in Southeastern Brazil. [europepmc]

Related

• Characterization and Identification of Puparia ofHydrotaeaRobineau-Desvoidy, 1830 (Diptera: Muscidae) From Forensic and Archaeological Contexts
• Diversity of Forensically-Important Dipteran Species in Different Environments in Northeastern Brazil, with Notes on the Attractiveness of Animal Baits
• Insect Remains from the Collections in the Egyptian Museum of Turin
• Insights on Funeral Practices and Insects Associated With the Tombs of King Ferrante II d’Aragona and Other Renaissance Nobles
• From cabinets to collectomics: discovering females and primary larvae of Strepsiptera in a historical collection