Ultrastructure of immature stages of Lucilia cuprina (Diptera: Calliphoridae) using scanning electron microscopy

• Published in: Acta tropica 2014-08, Vol.136, p.123-128
• Main Authors: Mendonça, Paloma Martins, Barbosa, Rodrigo Rocha, Carriço, César, Cortinhas, Lucas Barbosa, Santos-Mallet, Jacenir Reis dos, Queiroz, Margareth Maria de Carvalho
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Calliphoridae; Diptera; Diptera - ultrastructure; Fly; Forensic entomology; Larva - ultrastructure; Larvae; Lucilia cuprina; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Pupa - ultrastructure; Puparia; SEM; Veterinary entomology
• ISSN: 0001-706X; 1873-6254
• DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2014.04.007

Lucilia cuprina is mechanical vector of pathogens and could also cause myiasis in humans. It is also related to forensic entomology. The correct identification is important but only identification keys of adults are available. •Lucilia cuprina is mechanical vector of pathogens and causes myiasis in humans and animals.•This fly is related to forensic entomology and it is the dominant during decomposition stage.•The larval body of all muscoids is very similar, so the description is important.•At Brazilian L. cuprina species, the number of spiracular openings observed was 6 or 7. The blowfly Lucilia cuprina is distributed worldwide and is a mechanical vector of pathogens. It can cause myiasis in humans and is strongly related to forensic entomology, as it is frequently found on human and animal corpses. However, most of the L. cuprina found on corpses are the immature stages of this fly. Correct identification is very important for forensic entomology but at present only the identification keys of adult L. cuprina are available. Thus, the aim of this paper was to describe and analyze the morphological characteristics of all larval instars and the puparia of L. cuprina using scanning electron microscopy (SEM).