Calliphora loewi

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Calliphora loewi
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Diptera
Family: Calliphoridae
Genus: Calliphora
Species:
C. loewi
Binomial name
Calliphora loewi
Enderlein, 1903
Synonyms
  • C. morticia Shannon, 1923,
  • Onesia germanorum Villeneuve, 1907

Calliphora loewi is part of the family Calliphoridae, bottle flies and blowflies, and in the genus Calliphora , blue bottle flies. The genus can be deceiving since C. loewi is not blue. Though this species is rare, it can play an important part in forensic entomology, spreading disease, and decomposing carrion. The life cycle of C. loewi is similar to the life cycle of the genus Calliphora. Since this species is rare there has not been very much research done with this species.

Contents

Description

Günther Enderlein, a German entomologist, first described Calliphora loewi in 1903. Calliphora loewi ranges in length from 6–14 mm. C. loewi is a rare species that can be confused with C. terraenovae because some species have a similar reddish genal groove. The head is typically a black color with the exception of the lower facial edge. The posterior of the head is concave with 3 to 5 rows of black setae, centrally with pale hairs. The frontal area of the males head is narrower than the females. The cerci in the males are long and narrow. Males also have bordering frontal orbital plates, whereas the females have frontal vita about three times the width of the frontal orbital plates. The females have very large antennae compared to normal sized antennae in males. [1]

Food source

The maggots have hook-like mouth parts that tear apart the tissues where they live. The adults have sponge-like mouth parts in which they will first coat their food in digestive enzymes then suck up the matter. C. loewi primarily feed on dead animals but can be occasionally found on vegetation. [2]

Distribution

Calliphora loewi is a very rare species but can be found in all parts of the world. C. loewi is widespread in Fennoscandia and Denmark and can be found limited in numbers in other parts of northern and central Europe. Specimens have been found as far east as Mongolia and Japan. The only recorded findings of the species in North America were in Alaska and Canada. C. loewi is also thought to avoid human settlements. [1]

Life cycle

The life cycle of C. loewi has six stages: the egg, three larval stages (instars), pupae, and adult fly. The adults will lay their eggs on suitable habitats, usually carrion. Larvae will hatch within 6–48 hours after eggs have been deposited. They shed their skins three times during their larval stage. The time it takes to molt into the next instar is fairly consistent; however, temperature can be a factor. Colder weather will slow down the amount of time it takes for each developmental stage, and warmer weather will speed it up. The life cycle from egg to adult can be anywhere from 16–35 days, depending on environmental conditions. [1]

Eggs to Larvae

The eggs of this genus are white, slightly curved, cylinder shaped and have blunt ends. Once the eggs hatch the larva stage begins. The three instars of the maggots have different characteristics. The first is less than 2 mm long and is a twelve segment skeleton with mouthparts present. The second instar has spines located on the dorsal side and has two posterior spiracle slits from which it breathes. During the third instar, the mouthparts are fully developed. The mouth-hook tooth becomes longer, and the maggot now has three posterior spiracles. [3]

Larvae to Pupae

When the third-instar larva has finished growing (12–18 mm), it leaves the corpse and burrows into the ground where it develops into a hardened, capsule-like pupa. The brown/black pupa retains a maggot like appearance with outlines of its spiracles and skin, except now it is sclerotized. While encased as a pupa, it is unable to feed and is immobile. [3]

Pupae to Adult

It takes around 14 days (at a temperature of 70 degrees Fahrenheit) before the pupa emerges as an adult fly. The newly adult fly is pale in color with a soft body and wings. As it matures, the fly expands its wings, and the body hardens and changes color. A mature C. loewi is approximately 6–14 mm in length. The fly then mates and will travel several miles to lay its eggs, and the cycle repeats. [3]

Importance

Forensic

Forensic entomology is the study of arthropods and their connection to the courts of law. The family Calliphoridae is very important in forensic entomology. The genus Calliphora also has a very distinct life cycle so based on the different stages that can be found on a corpse; therefore an accurate post mortem interval can be determined. [4]

Upon finding blowflies and or their larvae on a corpse, it is extremely important to accurately identify the correct species. For example, a semi- rounded sclerite lying behind the mouth-hook of blowfly larvae exists only in C. loewi and C. vomitoria . [5] Since both of these species of Calliphoridae tend to be found in rural areas, an entomologist can use these characteristics to determine a region or habitat where the victim died.

Entomologists can use SDF (spiracle distance factor) values when identifying between Calliphora sp. SDF is calculated by dividing the distance between the spiracles by the greatest diameter of one spiracle. [5] Since the greatest diameter of one spiracle tends to remain constant for each species, SDF values are very useful. To tell the difference between C. loewi and C. vomitoria, the SDF for C. vomitoria decreases (the spiracles come closer together) when the puparium transitions between the 2nd and 3rd instars. The SDF for C. loewi however remains constant (the spiracles maintain their distance between). [5]

Medical

In the epidemiological sense, blowflies are of concern due to being possible mechanical vectors of disease. [6] Blowfly breeding and feeding hosts tend to be decomposing animals and dung, which are covered with bacteria that consequentially come in contact with the fly. Lab studies have shown that blowflies coming in contact with agar have produced cultures that contain pathogens. Although C. loewi does breed in carrion and possibly in human feces, it remains uncertain whether it carries or transmits disease.

Ecological

They are also very important ecologically because they are decomposers. Blowflies are not only attracted to decomposing hosts but to some plants as well. C. loewi and other blowflies have been observed to be attracted to Phallus impudicus , the stinkhorn fungus, which tends to smell like carrion. [2] The Stapelia flower, which smells like carrion and emits heat like that of decomposition, also attracts blowflies. The flower causes females to oviposit (deposit eggs from ovipositor) but it does not support past the 1st instars. Some other plants do support larvae through full development. [2]

Research

Research has been performed using synthetic trap baits instead of carcasses to capture blowflies. In a field test, dimethyl trisulfide was used in trap baits and C. loewi and other various blowflies were caught in these traps. Blowflies are attracted to decaying hosts due to the odors produced by bacterial decomposition. Dimethyl trisulphide is probably a decomposition product from bacterial decomposition and a major attractant for blowflies looking for hosts. Dimethyl disulfide has also been used in trap baits and for the suppression of other Calliphora sp. [7]

Future research about the behavior of C. loewi will provide more information to gain a better picture of the lifecycle which will allow investigators to better estimate the time of colonization and PMI. For medicinal purposes, the possibility that the larvae can be used in maggot therapy is currently unknown and also can be researched.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Forensic entomology</span> Application of insect and other arthropod biology to forensics

Forensic entomology is the scientific study of the colonization of a dead body by arthropods. This includes the study of insect types commonly associated with cadavers, their respective life cycles, their ecological presences in a given environment, as well as the changes in insect assemblage with the progression of decomposition. Insect succession patterns are identified based on the time a given species of insect spends in a given developmental stage, and how many generations have been produced since the insects introduction to a given food source. Insect development alongside environmental data such as temperature and vapor density, can be used to estimate the time since death, due to the fact that flying insects are attracted to a body immediately after death. The identification of postmortem interval to aid in death investigations is the primary scope of this scientific field. However, forensic entomology is not limited to homicides, it has also been used in cases of neglect and abuse, in toxicology contexts to detect the presence of drugs, and in dry shelf food contamination incidents. Equally, insect assemblages present on a body, can be used to approximate a given location, as certain insects may be unique to certain areas. Therefore, forensic entomology can be divided into three subfields: urban, stored-product and medico-legal/medico-criminal entomology.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Calliphoridae</span> Family of insects in the Diptera order

The Calliphoridae are a family of insects in the order Diptera, with almost 1,900 known species. The maggot larvae, often used as fishing bait, are known as gentles. The family is known to be polyphyletic, but much remains disputed regarding proper treatment of the constituent taxa, some of which are occasionally accorded family status.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Common green bottle fly</span> Species of insect

The common green bottle fly is a blowfly found in most areas of the world and is the most well-known of the numerous green bottle fly species. Its body is 10–14 mm (0.39–0.55 in) in length – slightly larger than a house fly – and has brilliant, metallic, blue-green or golden coloration with black markings. It has short, sparse, black bristles (setae) and three cross-grooves on the thorax. The wings are clear with light brown veins, and the legs and antennae are black. The larvae of the fly may be used for maggot therapy, are commonly used in forensic entomology, and can be the cause of myiasis in livestock and pets. The common green bottle fly emerges in the spring for mating.

<i>Chrysomya putoria</i> Species of fly

Chrysomya putoria, also known as the tropical African latrine blowfly, is a fly species belonging to the blowfly family, Calliphoridae.C. putoria is native to Africa and has recently spread to the Americas. These flies pose significant health risks, especially due to their close association with human settlements. Adult flies can carry pathogens, while larvae may cause myiasis by growing and feeding on the flesh of domestic animals and humans. Other myiasis-causing flies in the same genus are C. bezziana and C. megacephala. C. putoria and other flies that feed on decomposing tissue are used as important tools in forensic entomology to establish the post-mortem interval, or the time elapsed since death.

<i>Cynomya mortuorum</i> Species of fly

Cynomya mortuorum belongs to the order Diptera, sometimes referred to as "true flies". In English, the only common name occasionally used is "fly of the dead". It has a bluish-green appearance, similar to other Calliphoridae and is found in multiple geographic locations with a preference for colder regions. Belonging to the family Calliphoridae, it has been shown to have forensically relevant implications due to its appearance on carrion. Current research is being done to determine C. mortuorum's level of importance and usage within forensic entomology.

<i>Calliphora vomitoria</i> Species of fly

Calliphora vomitoria, known as the blue bottle fly, orange-bearded blue bottle, or bottlebee is a species of blow fly, a species in the family Calliphoridae. Calliphora vomitoria is the type species of the genus Calliphora. It is common throughout many continents including Europe, Americas, and Africa. They are fairly large flies, nearly twice the size of the housefly, with a metallic blue abdomen and long orange setae on the gena.

<i>Chrysomya</i> Genus of flies

Chrysomya is an Old World blow fly genus of the family Calliphoridae. The genus Chrysomya contains a number of species including Chrysomya rufifacies and Chrysomya megacephala. The term “Old World blow fly” is a derivative of both the associated family, Calliphoridae, and the belief that the genus Chrysomya originated in Asia and migrated to North America only relatively recently. Chrysomya’s primary importance to the field of medico-criminal forensic entomology is due to the genus’ reliable life cycle, allowing investigators to accurately develop a postmortem interval. Chrysomya adults are typically metallic colored with thick setae on the meron and plumose arista. The name comes from the word chrysos, meaning “golden” in reference to the metallic sheen of the genus’ species, and -mya, a derivation from the word myia, meaning “fly”.

<i>Chrysomya rufifacies</i> Species of fly

Chrysomya rufifacies is a species belonging to the blow fly family, Calliphoridae, and is most significant in the field of forensic entomology due to its use in establishing or altering post mortem intervals. The common name for the species is the hairy maggot blow fly, and it belongs to the genus Chrysomya, which is commonly referred to as the Old World screwworms. This genus includes other species such as Chrysomya putoria and Chrysomya bezziana, which are agents of myiasis. C. rufifacies prefers very warm weather and has a relatively short lifecycle. It is widely distributed geographically and prefers to colonize large carcasses over small ones. The species commonly has a greenish metallic appearance and is important medically, economically, and forensically.

<i>Lucilia illustris</i> Species of insect

Lucilia illustris is a member of the fly family Calliphoridae, commonly known as a blow fly. Along with several other species, L. illustris is commonly referred to as a green bottle fly. Lucilia illustris is typically 6–9 mm in length and has a metallic blue-green thorax. The larvae develop in three instars, each with unique developmental properties. The adult fly typically will feed on flowers, but the females need some sort of carrion protein in order to breed and lay eggs.

<i>Calliphora vicina</i> Species of insect

Calliphora vicina is a member of the family Calliphoridae, which includes blow flies and bottle flies. These flies are important in the field of forensic entomology, being used to estimate the time of a person's death when a corpse is found and then examined. C. vicina is currently one of the most entomologically important fly species for this purpose because it arrives at and colonizes a body following death in consistent timeframes.

Lucilia thatuna belongs to the family Calliphoridae, the species most commonly referred to as the blowflies, and the genus Lucilia. Along with several other species of Lucilia, L. thatuna is commonly referred to as a green bottle fly. L. thatuna is very scarce and not much is known about this particular fly. It has been noted to reside in mountainous regions of the northwestern United States.

Compsomyiops callipes, previously known as Paraluclia wheeleri, is a member of the blowfly family Calliphoridae. It is a warm weather fly that can be found in southwestern parts of the United States and parts of South America. This species can be identified by its chaeotaxy, metallic blue color, club-shaped palp, and brown calypters.

<i>Cynomya cadaverina</i> Species of fly

Cynomya cadaverina, also known as the shiny blue bottle fly, is a member of the family Calliphoridae, which includes blow flies as well as bottle flies. In recent years, this family has become a forensically important facet in many medicocriminal investigations in the growing field of forensic entomology. C. cadaverina is specifically important in determining a post-mortem interval, as well as other important factors.

<i>Lucilia mexicana</i> Species of insect

Lucilia mexicana is a species of blow fly of the family Calliphoridae, one of many species known as a green bottle fly. Its habitat range extends from southwestern North America to Brazil. L. mexicana is typically 6–9 mm in length with metallic blue-green coloring. This species is very similar in appearance to L. coeruleiviridis, the primary difference being that L. mexicana has two or more complete rows of post-ocular setae. L. mexicana has the potential to be forensically important in the stored-products and medicocriminal fields, but more research is needed for the fly to be used as evidence in criminal investigations.

<i>Calliphora livida</i> Species of fly

Calliphora livida is a member of the family Calliphoridae, the blow flies. This large family includes the genus Calliphora, the "blue bottle flies". This genus is important in the field of forensic entomology because of its value in post-mortem interval estimation.

<i>Lucilia coeruleiviridis</i> Species of fly

Lucilia coeruleiviridis, formerly Phaenecia coeruleiviridis, is commonly known as a green bottle fly, because of its metallic blue-green thorax and abdomen. L. coeruleiviridis was first discovered by French entomologist Pierre-Justin-Marie Macquart in 1855. It belongs to the family Calliphoridae and is one of many forensically important Diptera, as it is often found on decaying substances. L. coeruleiviridis is one of the most ubiquitous blow fly species in the southeastern United States, particularly in the spring and fall months.

<i>Protophormia terraenovae</i> Species of fly

Protophormia terraenovae is commonly called northern blowfly, blue-bottle fly or blue-assed fly. It is distinguished by its deep blue coloration and large size and is an important species throughout the Northern Hemisphere. This fly is notable for its economic effect as a myiasis pest of livestock and its antibiotic benefits in maggot therapy. Also of interest is P. terraenovae’s importance in forensic investigations: because of their temperature-dependent development and their prominent presence on corpses, the larvae of this species are useful in minimum post-mortem interval (mPMI) determination.

Calliphora latifrons is a species of blue bottle fly.

<i>Calliphora stygia</i> Species of fly

Calliphora stygia, commonly known as the brown blowfly, or rango tumaro in Māori, is a species of blow-fly that is found in Australia and New Zealand. The brown blowfly has a grey thorax and yellow-brown abdomen.

<i>Calliphora quadrimaculata</i> Species of fly

Calliphora quadrimaculata, commonly known as the New Zealand blue blowfly and by its Māori name rango pango, is an insect in the genus Calliphora of family Calliphoridae in the order Diptera. This particular blowfly is found throughout New Zealand as well as on Chatham, Auckland, Stewart and Campbell Islands that surround New Zealand. Generally blowfly maggots in New Zealand have to feed on animal tissue or faeces to develop into adult blowflies. However the New Zealand blue blowfly larvae can survive on decaying leaves of snow tussock in alpine regions and reach adult maturity without feeding on any animal tissue.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Rognes, Knut. Blowflies (Diptera, Calliphoridae) of Fennoscandia and Denmark. Leiden, Netherlands: E.J. Brill/ Scandinavian Science Press Ltd, 1991. https://books.google.com/books?id=-0FA-Tp4UlEC&dq=calliphora+loewi&pg=PA74
  2. 1 2 3 Erzinçlioğlu, Zakaria. Blowflies. Great Britain: The Richmond Publishing Co. Ltd, 1996.
  3. 1 2 3 Bullington, Stephen W. "BLOWFLIES: THEIR LIFE CYCLE AND WHERE TO LOOK FOR THE VARIOUS STAGES." Forensic Entomology. 08 Aug 2008. <http://users.usachoice.net/~swb/forensics/BF.htm.
  4. ↑ Brandt, Amoret and Martin Hall. "Forensic entomology." Science in School. 26 July 2006. Issue 2 http://www.scienceinschool.org/2006/issue2/forensic/.
  5. 1 2 3 Erzinçlioğlu, Y. Z. “Immature stages of British Calliphora and Cynomya, with a re-evaluation of the taxonomic characters of larval Calliphoridae (Diptera).” Journal of Natural History. 19:1 (1985): 69-96.
  6. ↑ Kaczorowska, Elżbieta. “Blowflies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) in the saline habitats of the Polish Baltic coast.” Polskie Pismo Entomologiczne Polish Journal of Entomology. 75:1 (2006) 11-27. http://www.pte.au.poznan.pl/ppe/PPE1-2006/11-27_Kaczorowska.pdf
  7. ↑ Nilssen, Arne C., Bjǿrn Åge Tǿmmerås, Rudolf Schmid, and Sissel Barli Evensen. “Dimethyl trisulphide is a strong attractant for some calliphorids and a muscid but not for the reindeer oestrids Hypoderma tarandi and Cephenemyia trompe.” Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata. 79:2 (1996): 211-218. https://commerce.metapress.com/content/g5581l8416133344/resource-secured/?target=fulltext.pdf&sid=tdguxe55dk00gp55xq1tnwrd&sh=www.springerlink.com
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