The weathering time of empty puparia could be important in predicting the minimum postmortem interval (PMImin). As corpse decomposition progresses to the skeletal stage, empty puparia often remain the sole evidence of fly activity at the scene. In this study, we used empty puparia of Sarcophaga peregrina (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) collected at ten different time points between January 2019 and February 2023 as our samples. Initially, we used the scanning electron microscope (SEM) to observe the surface of the empty puparia, but it was challenging to identify significant markers to estimate weathering time. We then utilized attenuated total internal reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) to detect the puparia spectrogram. Absorption peaks were observed at 1064 cm-1, 1236 cm-1, 1381 cm-1, 1538 cm-1, 1636 cm-1, 2852 cm-1, 2920 cm-1. Three machine learning models were used to regress the spectral data after dimensionality reduction using principal component analysis (PCA). Among them, eXtreme Gradient Boosting regression (XGBR) showed the best performance in the wavenumber range of 1800-600 cm-1, with a mean absolute error (MAE) of 1.20. This study highlights the value of refining these techniques for forensic applications involving entomological specimens and underscores the considerable potential of combining FTIR and machine learning in forensic practice.

The family Sarcophagidae is very diverse in Brazil. Due to their living habits, they are the subject of many medical, veterinary, sanitary, and entomological studies. However, Sarcophagidae species are still poorly studied in forensic entomology, although they are frequently reported in carcasses and even human corpses. Thus, this study aims to identify and compare the developmental stages and intrapuparial morphological characteristics of Peckia (Euboettcheria) collusor to serve as an auxiliary tool in forensic entomology. The pupae collected after zero hour at 27 °C and 32 °C were sacrificed every three hours until the first 24 h and then every six hours until the emergence of the first adults, using 30 pupae each time, totaling 1560 for 27 °C and 1290 for 32 °C. The intrapuparial development time of this fly species under laboratory-controlled conditions was 288 h at 27 °C and 228 h at 32 °C. The 2820 pupae were analyzed according to temperature and classified into eight possible stages. This contributed to the selection of 16 key morphological characteristics to identify the age of the pupae. The identified intrapupal morphological characteristics have great potential to help researchers, experts, technical assistants, and forensic entomologists estimate the minimum post-mortem interval (minPMI) of cadavers.

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 (x̅ = 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 (x̅ = 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).

•Tracheostomy wound myiasis is rarely observed in unconscious and immobile patients.•Maggots in the vicinity of the tracheostomy site should be closely monitored.•Controlling myiasis in hospitals requires fly control and patient fluid management.

Flies belonging to the Sarcophagidae family play a significant role in forensic investigations by aiding in the estimation of post-mortem interval through the assessment of the developmental time of their immature stages and/or the succession patterns of species on carcasses and cadavers. In this regard, this study aimed to investigate the ecological succession of these flies on pig carcasses within Cerrado of Brazil. The progression of fly succession was examined over a 10-day period using the Threshold Indicator Taxa Analysis (TITAN) approach. Six Z + species (Oxysarcodexia thornax (Walker), Peckia (Sarcodexia) lambens (Wiedemann), Peckia (Euboettcheria) collusor (Curran & Walley), Ravinia belforti (Prado & Fonseca), Tricharaea (Sarcophagula) canuta (Wulp) and Tricharaea (Sarcophagula) occidua (Fabricius)) were identified, with change points ranging from 2.5 to 3 days during the dry season and 2.5 to 5.5 days during the rainy season. Two Z-  species (Dexosarcophaga carvalhoi (Lopes) and Peckia (Sarcodexia) tridentata (Hall)) were present, with a change point of 6.5 days during the rainy season. This study provides a continuous analysis of the temporal succession of flies, enabling an investigation into species progression based on their change points and directions (Z + and Z- ), thereby offering methodological advancements to avoid the arbitrary categorization of inherently continuous data.

Sarcophaga (=Parasarcophaga) (Liopygia) ruficornis (Fabricius, 1794) is a species of medical-veterinary and forensic importance, as its immatures cause myiasis in humans and animals and colonize carcasses and cadavers. Therefore, investigations into the biology and morphology of this species, with a particular focus on pupae that constitute ≥50% of the developmental period for the immatures, are pertinent. Although there are biological and morphological studies of pupae, the intrapuparial development at different temperatures has not yet been analysed. Therefore, the present study aimed to describe how temperature (22, 27 and 32 ± 1°C) affects the development and morphology of S. (L.) ruficornis pupae at 60 ± 10% relative humidity and a 12-h photoperiod. Ten pupae were collected, euthanized and fixed every 4 h from pupariation until 24 h and every 8 h until the emergence of the first adult. Emergence occurred at 440, 272 and 232 h at 22, 27 and 32°C, with 590, 380 and 330 pupae, respectively. The highest mortality occurred at 32°C. Eight periods were defined, and sex was determined in pharate adult stage; in addition, 40 key morphological characteristics to estimate pupal age were presented. These findings can serve as a basis for studies on the biology and morphology of the pupa of S. (L.) ruficornis, particularly in bionomics, control and forensics, helping researchers and experts.
Sarcophaga (=Parasarcophaga) (Liopygia) ruficornis (Fabricius, 1794) é uma espécie de importância médico‐veterinária e forense, pois seus imaturos causam miíase em humanos e animais e colonizam carcaças e cadáveres. Portanto, são pertinentes as investigações sobre a biologia e morfologia dessa espécie, com foco especial nas pupas que constituem ≥50% do período de desenvolvimento dos imaturos. Embora existam estudos biológicos e morfológicos das pupas, o desenvolvimento intrapuparial em diferentes temperaturas ainda não foi analisado. Logo, o presente estudo teve como objetivo descrever como a temperatura (22, 27 e 32 ± 1°C) afeta o desenvolvimento e a morfologia das pupas de S. (L.) ruficornis a 60 ± 10% de umidade relativa e fotoperíodo de 12 horas. Dez pupas foram coletadas, eutanasiadas e fixadas a cada quatro horas desde a pupariação até 24 horas e a cada oito horas até a emergência do primeiro adulto. A emergência ocorreu em 440, 272 e 232 horas a 22, 27 e 32°C, com 590, 380 e 330 pupas, respectivamente. A maior mortalidade ocorreu a 32°C. Foram definidos oito períodos e o sexo foi determinado na fase de adulto farato; além disso, foram apresentadas 40 características morfológicas importantes para estimar a idade das pupas. Essas descobertas podem servir de base para estudos sobre a biologia e a morfologia da pupa de S. (L.) ruficornis, especialmente em bionomia, controle e ciência forense, ajudando pesquisadores e especialistas.

This study compared effects of diminazene aceturate (berenil), commonly used to treat domestic animals infected with Trypanosoma evansi, with the hemolymph of Sarcophaga argyostoma larva. The hemolymph may be acting as a possible natural alternative to berenil, based on immunomodulation mediated inflammatory response. Inflammatory mediators and histopathological changes in liver, kidney, and spleen of albino mice experimentally infected with T. evansi were studied. Mice were divided into five groups: G1, uninfected, untreated (negative control); G2, T. evansi infected (positive control); G3, infected and treated with berenil; G4, infected and treated with hemolymph; G5, infected and treated with hemolymph 3 days before infection (prophylactic group). Animals in (G4) and (G5) exhibited a significant overall reduction in serum levels of IFN-γ. However, the reduction in TNF-α and IL-6 levels was more limited compared to (G2) and (G3). Notably, an elevation in IL-10 levels was observed compared to animals in other groups. Furthermore, the groups treated with hemolymph demonstrated an alleviation of T. evansi infection in contrast to the other groups. This study highlights that the administration of Sarcophaga argyostoma larval hemolymph at a dosage of 0.5 ml/kg significantly inhibited T. evansi organisms in vivo, showcasing a pronounced trypanocidal effect.

As part of a study on the biodiversity of Diptera of south-western Saudi Arabia, a survey of the Diptera fauna of Jazan, Asir and Najran at 10 sites was performed between 20122015 mainly using Malaise traps, sweep nets and baited traps. A total of 21 species of Sarcophagidae are recorded and documented with photographs, seven of which represent new country records for Saudi Arabia. Including species with a reliable previous record from Saudi Arabia, the total number of species of Sarcophagidae known from Saudi Arabia now stands at 51. All species of Sarcophagidae recorded from Saudi Arabia are listed, including distributions and the source where species were first recorded. Material studied as part of the project resulted in 16 new country records for other countries. Alusomyia Villeneuve, 1933 is here synonymized with Hoplacephala Macquart, 1834, syn. nov., argued from the presence of four proclinate orbital bristles, the row of strong parafacial setae close to the anteroventral eye-margin, the large gena and the robust habitus compared to most other miltogrammines. The generic synonomy requires the new combinations Hoplacephala transfuga (Villeneuve, 1933), comb. nov. and Hoplacephala turana (Rohdendorf, 1975), comb. nov. Sarcophaga surcoufi Villeneuve, 1913 is synonymized with Engelisca adhamae Lehrer & Abou-Zied, 2008, syn. nov. An appendix authored by Dr J.C. Deeming contains the description of Sarcophaga dawahi Deeming, sp. nov.

The anthropization process exerts a profound effect on ecosystems, causing alterations in biodiversity, habitat structure, and species composition, ultimately disrupting the delicate balance of natural environments. The aim of the present study was to explore the ecological dynamics of necrophagous Sarcophagidae and Calliphoridae flies along an anthropization gradient. This research investigated alpha and beta diversity patterns to unravel the impact of human-induced environmental changes on these insect communities and also assesses the dynamics of functional groups in relation to their impact on medical and forensic fields. Five distinct habitats, ranging from urban to forested areas, were surveyed in two Departments in the Province of Chaco, Argentina. Necrophagous flies were collected using van Someren-Rydon canopy traps across three seasons. Two main functional groups were analyzed: oviparous flies (Calliphoridae) and larviparous flies (Sarcophagidae). Results indicated a significant negative correlation between Sarcophagidae species richness and anthropization, whereas Calliphoridae showed increased abundance in highly anthropized sites. The combined assemblage of Calliphoridae+Sarcophagidae exhibited significant relationships across all community parameters evaluated. Beta diversity analysis revealed turnover as the main process shaping dipteran communities along the anthropization gradient, with spatial species replacement dominating. This underscores the importance of interspecific spatial segregation in dipteran community composition. In conclusion, this study enhances our understanding of the ecological adaptations of necrophagous dipterans to anthropogenic disturbances. The observed shifts in diversity and abundance have implications for forensic investigations and public health, emphasizing the need for nuanced monitoring and conservation strategies. This research contributes valuable insights into the intricate ecological interactions of these insect communities within changing ecosystems.

Sarcophaga (Liosarcophaga) angarosinica (Rohdendorf, 1937) (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) is a species of both medical and ecological significance. In this study, the complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of S. angarosinica was sequenced and characterized. The mitogenome has a total length of 15,215 bp, including 13 protein-coding genes, two ribosomal RNAs, 22 transfer RNAs, and an adenine and thymine-rich region. This mitogenome comprises 39.5% adenine, 9.4% guanine, 14.4% cytosine, and 36.8% thymine. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that S. angarosinica is closely related to Sarcophaga similis. This study enriches the genetic data on S. angarosinica and will contribute to establishing the phylogenetic relationships among flesh flies.