Breeding of Ornidia obesa (Diptera: Syrphidae: Eristalinae) on Pig Carcasses in Brazil

• Published in: Journal of medical entomology 2010-07, Vol.47 (4), p.690-694
• Main Authors: Martins, E., Neves, J. A., Moretti, T. C., Godoy, W.A.C., Thyssen, P. J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: ambient temperature; Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Brazil; Breeding; breeding sites; Cadaver; Carcasses; Carrion; Cocaine; Diptera; Diptera - physiology; DIRECT INJURY, MYIASIS, FORENSICS; Entomology - methods; environmental factors; Eristalinae; etiology; flower fly; forensic entomology; Forensic Medicine; Forensic science; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; gunshot; insect breeding; insect ecology; insect rearing; insect reproduction; Insecta; Invertebrates; larvae; larval development; Medical sciences; Medically important nuisances and vectors, pests of stored products and materials: population survey and control; ontogeny; Ornidia obesa; Overdose; pig carcasses; Public health. Hygiene; Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine; Reproduction - physiology; Swine; Syrphidae; tribe Volucellini; validity; Vectors. Intermediate hosts; vertebrate carcass
• ISSN: 0022-2585; 1938-2928; 0022-2585
• DOI: 10.1603/ME09254

Ornidia obesa F. (Diptera: Syrphidae) is usually neglected in forensic entomology, although adults are rather frequent on vertebrate carrion. In this study, conducted in southeastern Brazil in 2008, we used two pig carcasses, one killed by cocaine overdose and the other by shooting, to evaluate mainly the possible influences of the type of death on the larval development of O. obesa in the pig remains. We recorded the breeding of 218 adult specimens of this syrphid fly from the carcass killed by shooting, and none from the carcass killed by cocaine. These observations may open a new perspective for the use of O. obesa in forensic studies, considering its breeding preferences and its complete development on vertebrate carrion.