Spatial dispersion of post-feeding larvae of forensically important flies: implications for medicolegal investigation

LAVEZZO, JULIO; ANA JULIA PEREIRA; MARIEN BÉGUELIN

Revista Española de Medicina Legal

Elsevier

Año: 2023

0377-4732

Calliphoridae flies allow estimating the postmortem interval (PMI), as they are the first to arrive at a decomposing body. Its larvae feed on the carcass and then move away to pupate (post-feeding dispersal). Since the environment alters the physiology and behavior of insects, the dispersal of larvae and the final location of pupae could be related to the place where the carcass is deposited. The aim of this work was to study the dispersal of post-feeding larvae in relation to environmental variables in northern Patagonia. The distribution of pupae in response to different illumination, temperature, and soil inclination conditions was evaluated. A circular box divided into quadrants was used for each treatment and control. Post-feeding larvae were placed in the center of each box, allowing them to disperse until they pupate. Differences in the number of pupae collected in each quadrant were evaluated by X2 tests. According to the control, the dispersion of post-feeding larvae occurs randomly (p=0.098). Regarding temperature, the larvae eluded the heat source (p