Drowning of Chrysomya rufifacies (Macquart) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) Eggs in Water

Authors

  • Leslie Olvera Texas A&M University
  • Adrienne Brundage Texas A&M University

Abstract

Chrysomya rufifacies is an important blowfly species used to estimate the postmortem interval of corpses. Chrysomya rufifacies eggs were submerged in water for 1 minute, 3 minutes, 5 minutes, 7 minutes, and 10 minutes to see if the eggs can survive being submerged in water. The number of successfully hatched eggs was recorded and there was only a significant difference with the 10 minutes treatment. Based on the results, C. rufifacies eggs can tolerate water until 10 minutes of submergence. This result can mean that even though C. rufifacies eggs can tolerate water, their emergence can be affected by water after 10 minutes of submergence. This is the first experiment that deals with the drowning of C. rufifacies eggs which is important for the emergence time that helps estimate the PMI of a corpse.

Author Biography

Leslie Olvera, Texas A&M University

Howdy! I am currently a 5th year senior. I will be graduating in December 2014.  I am currently working on my alternative teaching certification and I plan to be a kindergarten bilingual teacher once I graduate. 

References

Sukontason, K., Piangjai, S., Siriwattanarungsee, S., & Sukontason, K. (2008, May 1). Morphology and developmental rate of blowflies Chrysomya megacephala and Chrysomya rufifacies in Thailand: Application in forensic entomology. Retrieved November 12, 2014.

Yang, S., & Shiao, S. (2012, March 1). Oviposition Preferences of Two Forensically Important Blow Fly Species, Chrysomya megacephala and C. rufifacies (Diptera: Calliphoridae), and Implications for Postmortem Interval Estimation. Retrieved November 12, 2014.

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Published

2016-02-12