Valéria M. Aguiar-Coelho

Population fluctuations of calliphorid species (Diptera, Calliphoridae) in the Biological Reserve of Tinguá, state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

The purpose of this work was to determine the diversity and population fluctuations of calliphorid flies in the Biological Reserve of Tingua (ReBio-Tingua), Nova Iguacu, state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and to correlate their occurrence with the environmental variables of temperature, rainfall and relative air humidity. Specimens of Diptera were collected monthly between June 2002 and January 2005 using four traps placed at four points along a trail and exposed for 48 hours. The traps were baited with sardines and the trapped insects were stored in 70% alcohol. It was collected 8,528 calliphorids, thirteen species were identified among the blowflies including Laneela nigripes Guimaraes 1977, Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius, 1794), C. albiceps (Wiedemann, 1819), C. putoria (Wiedemann, 1830), Chloroprocta idioidea (Robineau-Devoidy, 1830), Cochliomyia macellaria (Fabricius, 1775), Hemilucilia semidiaphana (Rondani, 1850), H. segmentaria (Fabricius, 1805), Lucilia eximia (Wiedemann,1819), L. cuprina (Wiedemann, 1830), Paralucilia pseudolyrcea (Mello, 1969), Mesembrinella sp. and Eumesembrinella pauciseta (Aldrich, 1922). No significant correlation was found between the abundance of blowflies and the temperature and relative air humidity. Only C. megacephala and C. albiceps showed a positive and significant correlation with rainfall. An analysis of grouping by month (UPGMA) revealed no seasonal difference in the composition of the community, indicating that the community of calliphorid flies is probably more influenced by the ecological niches occupied by each species than by the seasons of the year.

Durations of immature stage development period of Nasonia vitripennis (Walker) (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) under laboratory conditions: implications for forensic entomology.

Some microhymenopterans are parasitoids of flies of forensic importance. Their parasitic habit can alter the duration of post-embryonic development of these flies, altering the postmortem interval. In order to analyze possible alterations occurring during the immature development period of Nasonia vitripennis, this study tested different quantitative associations between female parasitoids and pupae of Chrysomya megacephala, which were defined by: (a) one pupa was exposed to different numbers of female parasitoids (1:1, 1:3, 1:5, 1:7, 1:9, 1:11) and (b) different numbers of pupae were exposed to one female parasitoid (1:1, 2:1, 3:1, 4:1, 5:1). Analysis of variance (5% significance level) and Tukey’s honestly significant difference tests were used for statistical analysis. There was a tendency of prolongation of the duration of parasitoid development, both by increasing the number of female parasitoids and by increasing the number of hosts in the associations. By increasing the number of female parasitoids per host, there is a possibility of increasing the occurrence of superparasitism, leading to competition for food source, then prolonging the duration of the immature development period. Increasing the number of hosts in the associations, females may distribute their postures among the available pupae and can cause reduction of the number of eggs per host. Since these insects are gregarious, the reduction of the number of eggs may delay the offspring development.

Análise faunística de Calliphoridae (Diptera) da Reserva Biológica do Tinguá, Nova Iguaçu, Rio de Janeiro

The present study investigates the calliphorid fauna in the Biological Reserve of Tingua using faunistic indices. Monthly samplings were carried out using traps containing sardines that were exposed for 48 hours at the sites: A, at the border of the forest; B, 1,000 m towards the interior of the forest; and C, 500 m towards the interior of the forest. The objective was to study the Calliphoridae fauna in forest environments using faunal indices. During the course of the experiment, 26 calliphorid species were collected. The species Singletons, Doubletons, Uniques, Duplicates, intermediate and common were defined. Richness and richness estimation (estimators Chao 1 and 2, Jackknife 1 and 2, Ace, Ice and Bootstrap), diversity (Shannon-Wiener index), evenness (Pielous index), and similarity of the sites (using the Sorensen coefficient and the Southwood percent similarity) were calculated. Sites A and B had the same number of species of Calliphoridae (23), representing a greater richness than site C (16). The sites differed only in their rare, intermediate and common species composition. The greatest number of intermediate species was found at A. At B, the numbers of rare, intermediate and common species were similar. At C, there were fewer rare species than intermediate and common ones. Jackknife 2 at site B produced a higher value, however, indicating that it was possible to collect five other species in the reserve and three more species at A and C. Diversity was greatest at B, but evenness was similar at the sites. B and C showed a greater level of similarity in species composition (dendogram); L. nigripes and Mesembrinella bellardiana, which are the most important species at these two sites, appeared grouped together. Chrysomya albiceps, Chrysomya megacephala and Hemilucilia semidiaphana, the main species at Site A, also appear together.

Effects of forest fragmentation on dipterofauna (Calliphoridae) at the Reserva Biológica do Tinguá, Nova Iguaçu, RJ.

Samples were collected every month in three different sites of the Reserva Biológica do Tinguá, Brazil: site A was located on the border of the forest and sites B and C were located 1,000 and 500 m, respectively, towards the forest interior. The objective was to determine edge effects on a fragment of the Atlantic Forest. The greatest species richness was observed in sites A and B (23 species), compared with site C (16 species). Site A showed the greatest abundance and constancy, independent of the degree of synanthropy. Asynanthropic species were more abundant and constant in sites B and C. Site B showed the greatest diversity; and sites A and B showed the greatest similarity of populations. There was no significant correlation between Calliphoridae richness and canopy openness except in site C. Richness and abundance were positively correlated with subwood density, except for richness in site B.

Influência climática e antrópica na abundância e riqueza de Calliphoridae (Diptera) em fragmento florestal da Reserva Biológica do Tinguá, RJ

Monthly collections were made using two traps 5 m apart exposed for 48h, containing sardines and installed at points: A at the edge (500 m from the entrance of the Reserve); B 1200 m from the entrance and 1000 m inside the forest; and C 1700 m from the entrance and 500 m inside the forest. The purpose was to evaluate the abundance and richness of calliphorid species as a function of the environmental conditions using Pearsons correlation, compare the richness of the areas using ANOVA and Tukeys test, compare the abundances of the areas by the Kruskal-Wallis test, and also assess the possible influence of the anthropic presence. Rare, intermediary and common species were identified. The collection totalized 8515 Calliphoridae belonging to 26 species, with a predominance of females. None of the 13 species considered common presented a correlation between abundance and temperature: only Cochliomyia hominivorax (Coquerel) and Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius) were correlated with humidity and only Mesembrinella semihyalina Mello with precipitation. This parameter was the only climatic variable correlated with richness. The greatest abundance and richness of calliphorids occurred in September 2006. From the 13 common species, seven were considered synanthropic, indicating the effect of anthropic action in this site.

Associação entre larvas de Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius) e Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann), Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius) e Cochliomyia macellaria (Fabricius) (Calliphoridae, Diptera) sob condições de laboratório

This paper intends to recognize some aspects of interspecific relationships between Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius) and C. albiceps (Wiedemann) and between C. megacephala and Cochliomyia macellaria (Fabricius) larvae in laboratory. A diet consisting of decomposing horse flesh was used, and the relation of 1 larva/g diet was established. The development of the two species was done in pure and associated cultures. The association with Chrysomya albiceps influenced the post-embrionary development period and the weight of mature larvae of the C. megacephala, reducing their. Such weight decrease, along with the predation of larvae of C. megacephala larvae, yelded a decrease in survival in all of the stages. Larvae of this species showed an increase in its weight when associated with Cochliomyia macellaria. The native species responded to the association by reducing its body weigth and its viability. This association doesnt influence the duration of post-embrionary development.

Alternative Diets for Chrysomya putoria, an Old World Screwworm Fly

Abstract The purpose of this study was to evaluate the post—embryonic development of Chrysomya putoria (Wiedemann 1818) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) reared on a diet of gizzard or gizzard/agar homogenate, with a diet of beef used as the control. Four replicates per treatment were performed (60 mL of each diet). The gizzard (60%), distilled water, and agar homogenate were combined in a blender. Each replicate consisted of 40 newly hatched larvae of C. putoria (5th generation). Each glass beaker containing a diet was inserted into a larger flask containing sawdust, which was covered with a nylon cloth held in place by an elastic band. The larvae were weighed and stored in test tubes sealed with a nylon cloth and an elastic band. The average temperature, measured with a thermohygrograph, was 20.6 °C, and the average relative humidity was 67.7%. The variation in the mean weight of mature larvae and in the duration of the larval, pupal, and total stages (newly hatched larvae to imagoes) were analyzed by Students t—test (&agr; = 5%), while viability was compared by ANOVA. The sex ratio was evaluated by the chi—squared test. The average duration of the period from the larval to imago stage was 8.868 days on the beef diet, 8.676 on the gizzard diet, and 9.067 on the gizzard/agar homogenate diet. Larval survival rates on these diets were 98, 92, and 73%, respectively, while pupal viabilities were 98, 91, and 71%, respectively, and larva—to—imago viabilities were 93, 83, and 64%, respectively. The duration of the pupal period differed significantly between the blowflies reared on the beef and gizzard/agar homogenate diets. The two diets proved to be good alternatives for rearing C. putoria.

Associações entre larvas de Cochliomyia macellaria (Fabricius) e Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann) (Diptera, Calliphoridae) em condições experimentais

This paper has the purpose of studying the interspecif relationships of larvae of Cochliomyia macellaria (Fabricius) and Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann) in laboratory. The experiments were conducted on climatized chamber set at 30oC, 60+10% UR and 14h photophase. The relation of 1 larva/g diet was established. The association influence of post-embrionary development duration of both species. The association with Chrysomya albiceps influenced the weight of mature larvae of Cochliomyiia macellaria. reducing it significantly. Such weight decrease, along with the predation of larvae of C. macellaria larvae, yielded a decrease in survival in all of the stages.

Development and Evaluation of New Methodologies to Test the Attractiveness of Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) to Visual Stimulation by Colors in Laboratory Conditions

Three methodologies evaluated the attractiveness of Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius) to colors (red, green, black, white, blue and green) using arena, fan and rectangle-shaped devices. Seven to 15 repetitions/10 insects were carried out, except for the arena trial (1 insect/repetition). In the first arena trial, adults showed significant differences in the second (green>red) and third landings (red>green and black). In males black>red were significantly different. In the second arena trial, only males did. In the fan trial, yellow and blue were significantly different for males, and red for females. In the rectangular trial, no significant difference was observed. Varied attractiveness occurred due to external and behavioral influences in dipterans.

Calliphorid fly (Diptera, Calliphoridae) attraction to different colored traps in the Tingua Biological Reserve, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

The present study intended to analyze calliphorid attraction to traps painted in a variety of colors and the calliphorid constancy index in the Tingua Biological Reserve, Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil. The Diptera were collected monthly in the Reserve, between 2002 and 2005, totaling 24 samplings. Four traps containing sardines as bait were painted olive green, blood red, black, or white and exposed for 48 h at four equidistant points, 50 m from each other. To determine the calliphorid species constancy, the Bodenheirmer constancy index was used throughout the study. To analyze differences in the total abundance between species and in their color selection, an ANCOVA test with a significance level of 5 % and a Tukey post-test were used, considering the categories species and color as cofactors and climatic variables as co-variables (temperature, relative humidity and precipitation), since the samples were collected over two years. 10,444 insects were captured. Of these, 56 % belonged to the Calliphoridae family, totaling 13 species, with the most frequent species being Laneela nigripes (28.5 %), Hemilucilia semidiaphana (17 %), and Mesembrinella sp. (16.4 %). The other species had frequencies lower than 12 %. Nine species were considered constant, two accessories, and two accidental. The data indicated that the most frequent species presented significant differences between themselves concerning abundance over the captured months, however, the Tukey post-test indicated differences only between a few of them. The black trap presented the higher relative calliphorid frequency (27.34 %), followed by green (25 %), red (24.0 %), and white (23.7 %), although the species abundance in the different colored traps did not differ significantly among themselves. Therefore, there was no Calliphorid flies preference for any of the tested colors.