Characterization of the Volatiles’ Profiles of the Eggs of Forensically Relevant Lucilia sericata and Phormia regina (Diptera: Calliphoridae) Blow Flies by SPME-Facilitated GC-MS

2020 ◽  
Vol 57 (4) ◽  
pp. 994-1005
Author(s):  
Justine E Giffen-Lemieux ◽  
Koji Okuda ◽  
Jennifer Y Rosati ◽  
Rabi A Musah
Keyword(s):  
Solid Phase ◽  
Lucilia Sericata ◽  
Phormia Regina ◽  
Organosulfur Compounds ◽  
Blow Fly ◽  
Headspace Volatiles ◽  
Blow Flies ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Published Research

Abstract The attraction of necrophagous insects, particularly blow flies, to corpses and carrion is of ecological, economic, and agricultural importance, although the mechanisms by which it occurs are not well understood. Much of the published research on blow fly attractants has focused on volatiles emitted from carrion surrogates, but little attention has been given to the possibility that blow fly eggs themselves may emit chemical cues that are responsible for conspecific and heterospecific insect attraction. In this study, the headspace volatiles emitted from eggs representing two aggregated oviposition events that were collected 1 mo apart from two species of the Calliphoridae family (Order: Diptera), Lucilia sericata (Meigen), and Phormia regina (Meigen) were analyzed via solid-phase microextraction-facilitated GC-MS. The volatiles’ profiles were found to be consistent between samples representing the same species, but unique between the two species. Over 100 molecules covering a wide range of compound classes that included alcohols, aldehydes, esters, amines, ketones, and organosulfur compounds were identified. The profile of volatiles emitted from the L. sericata eggs contained several alkanes and aldehydes, whereas salient features of the P. regina headspace included numerous esters and ketones. Between the two species, 42 compounds were shared, several of which were carboxylic acids. Little overlap between the range of compounds detected and those reported to be emitted from decomposing remains was observed.

scholarly journals Impact of Comingled Heterospecific Assemblages on Developmentally Based Estimates of the Post-Mortem Interval—A Study with Lucilia sericata (Meigen), Phormia regina (Meigen) and Calliphora vicina Robineau-Desvoidy (Diptera: Calliphoridae)

Insects ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 280
Author(s):  
Krystal R. Hans ◽  
Sherah L. Vanlaerhoven
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Development Time ◽  
Lucilia Sericata ◽  
Phormia Regina ◽  
Calliphora Vicina ◽  
Immature Stages ◽  
Post Mortem ◽  
Blow Fly ◽  
Blow Flies ◽  
Post Mortem Interval

Estimates of the minimum post-mortem interval (mPMI) using the development rate of blow flies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) are common in modern forensic entomology casework. These estimates are based on single species developing in the absence of heterospecific interactions. Yet, in real-world situations, it is not uncommon to have 2 or more blow fly species developing on a body. Species interactions have the potential to change the acceptance of resources as suitable for oviposition, the timing of oviposition, growth rate, size and development time of immature stages, as well as impacting the survival of immature stages to reach adult. This study measured larval development and growth rate of the blow flies Lucilia sericata (Meigen, 1826), Phormia regina (Meigen, 1826) and Calliphora vicina Robineau-Desvoidy (Diptera: Calliphoridae) over five constant temperatures (15, 20, 25, 30, 35 °C), in the presence of conspecifics or two-species heterospecific assemblages. Temperature and species treatment interacted such that L. sericata larvae gained mass more rapidly when in the presence of P. regina at 20 and 30 °C, however only developed faster at first instar. At later stages, the presence of P. regina slowed development of L. sericata immatures. Development time of C. vicina immatures was not affected by the presence of P. regina, however larvae gained mass more slowly. Development time of P. regina immatures was faster in the presence of either L. sericata or C. vicina until third instar, at which point, the presence of L. sericata was neutral whereas C. vicina negatively impacted development time. Phormia regina larvae gained mass more rapidly in the presence of L. sericata at 20 °C but were negatively impacted at 25 °C by the presence of either L. sericata or C. vicina. The results of this study indicate that metrics such as development time or larval mass used for estimating mPMI with blow flies are impacted by the presence of comingled heterospecific blow fly assemblages. As the effects of heterospecific assemblages are not uniformly positive or negative between stages, temperatures or species combinations, more research into these effects is vital. Until then, caution should be used when estimating mPMI in cases with multiple blow fly species interacting on a body.

Spatial and Seasonal Distribution of Forensically Important Blow Flies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) in Makhanda, Eastern Cape, South Africa

2019 ◽  
Vol 56 (5) ◽  
pp. 1231-1238
Author(s):  
K A Williams ◽  
M H Villet
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Seasonal Distribution ◽  
Lucilia Sericata ◽  
Chicken Liver ◽  
Seasonal Activity ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Blow Fly ◽  
Blow Flies ◽  
Management Plans ◽  
Forensic Investigations

AbstractThe seasonal activity of adults of eight forensically important blow fly species [Calliphora croceipalpis (Diptera: Calliphoridae), Jaennicke, Lucilia sericata (Meigen) (Diptera: Calliphoridae), L. cuprina (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Calliphoridae), Chrysomya chloropyga (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Calliphoridae), Ch. albiceps (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Calliphoridae), Ch. marginalis (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Calliphoridae), Ch. putoria (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Calliphoridae), Ch. megacephala (Fabricius) (Diptera: Calliphoridae)] was quantified from collections in Makhanda, South Africa. Flies were collected in traps baited with chicken liver and placed in the field at eight locations for four consecutive days each fortnight for 14 mo. The seasonal distribution of each species compared well to published seasonal distributions of these blow flies elsewhere in South Africa, with evidence of year-to-year variation within seasons that might be explained by weather. This information is important for determining when and where certain species are likely to occur and will be of use in forensic investigations and myiasis management plans.

Characterization of phenoloxidases from larval cuticle of Sarcophaga bullata and a comparison with cuticular enzymes from other species

1987 ◽  
Vol 65 (5) ◽  
pp. 1158-1166 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Michael Barrett
Keyword(s):  
Musca Domestica ◽  
Sodium Azide ◽  
Lucilia Sericata ◽  
Phormia Regina ◽  
Ph Optimum ◽  
Larval Cuticle ◽  
Sarcophaga Bullata ◽  
Tyrosinase Enzyme ◽  
Laccase Enzyme

A tyrosinase, enzyme A, and a laccase, enzyme B, have been partially purified from larval cuticle of the flesh fly Sarcophaga bullata. Enzyme A (EC 1.10.3.1, o-diphenol: O2 oxidoreductase) oxidizes o-diphenols but not p-diphenols, is strongly inhibited by phenylthiourea, and has a pH optimum around pH 6.5–7.0. Assays on intact cuticle suggest that it becomes maximally activated at pH between 8 and 9. Enzyme B (EC 1.10.3.2, p-diphenol: O2 oxidoreductase) oxidizes both o-diphenols and p-diphenols, is not inhibited by phenylthiourea but is inhibited by concentrations of sodium azide that have little effect on enzyme A, and has a pH optimum near pH 4.5. Enzyme A was identified in extracts of cuticle from nine other species representing five orders. Enzyme B was much less readily extractable but was partially purified from larval cuticle of Phormia regina, Musca domestica, and Lucilia sericata. A summary of all species studied to date makes possible the test of a hypothesis about the distribution of these cuticular phenoloxidases within the Insecta.

Studies on the Influence of the Environment on the Sheep Blow-Fly Lucilia sericata Meig.

Parasitology ◽  
1936 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 431-439 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. C. Evans
Keyword(s):  
High Temperature ◽  
Seasonal Succession ◽  
Lucilia Sericata ◽  
Intermediate Position ◽  
Blow Fly ◽  
Calliphora Erythrocephala ◽  
Blow Flies ◽  
Resistant Species ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Length Of Life

The comparative resistance to high temperature and various humidities of four species of blow-flies, Calliphora erythrocephala Meig., Lucilia sericata Meig., Sarcophaga falculata Pand. and Phormia groenlandica Zett. is studied. It is shown that Phormia groenlandica is the most resistant species and Calliphora erythrocephala the least resistant species, with Lucilia sericata and Sarcophaga falculata occypying an intermediate position.This order of resistance is correlated negatively with the order of the seasonal succession of the species.It is suggested that certain differences in the length of life of males and females subjected to various humidities is brought about by an “ageing” factor.

scholarly journals Adsorption to soils and biochemical characterization of purified phytases

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Marta Caffaro ◽  
Karina Beatriz Balestrasse ◽  
Gerardo Rubio
Keyword(s):  
Phytic Acid ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Biochemical Characterization ◽  
Solid Phase ◽  
Organic P ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Nitrophenyl Phosphate ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Temperature Ranges

Abstract. Four purified phytases isolated from Aspergillus niger and Escherichia coli were characterized biochemically and in terms of their adsorption to soils belonging to the Mollisol order. Three different organic P substrates were used to measure enzyme activity in a wide range of pH (2.3 to 9) and temperatures (−10° to 70 °C): p-nitrophenyl-phosphate, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate and phytic acid. Phytases from A. niger showed a higher capacity to release P (36 to 50 % of P contained in the substrates, 44 to 62 μg P), than phytases from E. coli (24 to 36 %, 20 to 44 μg P). The amount of P released from organic P substrates by A. niger phytases followed the following range: p-nitrophenyl-phosphate > glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate > phytic acid whereas in E. coli phytases the order was p-nitrophenyl-phosphate/glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate > phytic acid. All phytases were active throughout the pH and temperature ranges for optimum crop production. The proportion of phytases found in the solid phase of the soil 60 minutes after addition was lower than that found in the liquid phase (23–34 % vs. 66–77 %). Obtained results are promising in terms of the use of phytases as a complement to P fertilization in agricultural settings and encourages further studies under field conditions.

scholarly journals Design of the Extraction Process for Characterization of Volatile Profile of Stem Wood by Solid-Phase Microextraction

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
pp. 1934578X1984272 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomáš Bajer ◽  
Jakub Šulc ◽  
Karel Ventura ◽  
Petra Bajerová
Keyword(s):  
Extraction Method ◽  
Solid Phase Microextraction ◽  
Solid Phase ◽  
Extraction Process ◽  
Volatile Components ◽  
Extraction Temperature ◽  
Stem Wood ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Volatile Profiles

A method for isolation of volatile compounds from samples of stem wood by solid-phase microextraction was developed. The extraction method was optimized using a central composite design approach. Extraction temperature and extraction time were optimized in the ranges of 40°C to 120°C and 10 to 90 minutes, respectively. Final extraction method was combined with GC-MS for separation and identification of volatile components of wood samples of seven tree species, commonly occurring in Central Europe. All of them were deciduous (acacia, alder, beech, elm, larch, maple, and oak). In total 185 organic compounds were identified in volatile profiles of all the samples by the developed method. To facilitate the evaluation of the suitability of the proposed method for extraction of different compound types, all identified compounds were categorized into 16 groups. Percentage of compound groups in volatile profiles of individual wood samples shows that the developed method is suitable for evaluation of a wide range of volatile components from stem wood.

scholarly journals Blow Flies Visiting Decaying Alligators: Is Succession Synchronous or Asynchronous?

2009 ◽  
Vol 2009 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark P. Nelder ◽  
John W. McCreadie ◽  
Clinton S. Major
Keyword(s):  
Monte Carlo ◽  
Monte Carlo Simulations ◽  
Phormia Regina ◽  
Community Succession ◽  
Blow Fly ◽  
Chrysomya Rufifacies ◽  
Site Specific ◽  
Blow Flies ◽  
Chrysomya Megacephala ◽  
Cochliomyia Macellaria

Succession patterns of adult blow flies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) on decaying alligators were investigated in Mobile (Ala, USA) during August 2002. The most abundant blow fly species visiting the carcasses wereChrysomya rufifacies(Macquart),Cochliomyia macellaria(Fabricus),Chrysomya megacephala(Fabricus),Phormia regina(Meigen), andLucilia coeruleiviridis(Macquart).Lucilia coeruleiviridiswas collected more often during the early stages of decomposition, followed byChrysomyaspp.,Cochliomyia macellaria, andPhormia reginain the later stages.Lucilia coeruleiviridiswas the only synchronous blow fly on the three carcasses; other blow fly species exhibited only site-specific synchrony. Using dichotomous correlations and analyses of variance, we demonstrated that blow fly-community succession was asynchronous among three alligators; however, Monte Carlo simulations indicate that there was some degree of synchrony between the carcasses.

Application of solid-phase immune electron microscopy to study physical and stability characteristics of enterically transmitted non-a, non-b hepatitis virus

1988 ◽  
Vol 46 ◽  
pp. 80-81
Author(s):  
Charles D. Humphrey ◽  
E. H. Cook ◽  
Karen A. McCaustland ◽  
Daniel W. Bradley
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Hepatitis A ◽  
Hepatitis A Virus ◽  
Solid Phase ◽  
Etiologic Agent ◽  
World Health ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Morphological Identification ◽  
Immune Electron Microscopy

Enterically transmitted non-A, non-B hepatitis (ET-NANBH) is a type of hepatitis which is increasingly becoming a significant world health concern. As with hepatitis A virus (HAV), spread is by the fecal-oral mode of transmission. Until recently, the etiologic agent had not been isolated and identified. We have succeeded in the isolation and preliminary characterization of this virus and demonstrating that this agent can cause hepatic disease and seroconversion in experimental primates. Our characterization of this virus was facilitated by immune (IEM) and solid phase immune electron microscopic (SPIEM) methodologies.Many immune electron microscopy methodologies have been used for morphological identification and characterization of viruses. We have previously reported a highly effective solid phase immune electron microscopy procedure which facilitated identification of hepatitis A virus (HAV) in crude cell culture extracts. More recently we have reported utilization of the method for identification of an etiologic agent responsible for (ET-NANBH).

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