South African nose flies (Diptera, Calliphoridae, Rhiniinae): taxonomy, diversity, distribution and biology.

Background: Rhiniinae (Diptera, Calliphoridae) is a taxon of nearly 400 known species, many of them termitophilous. Approximatelly 160 valid species in 16 genera are Afrotropical, with over 60 of them occurring in South Africa. The taxonomy of this group is outdated, as most studies of the South African taxa were conducted 40 to 70 years ago (mostly by Salvador Peris and Fritz Zumpt).

Estimation of PMI for human remains wrapped in a blanket, with first report of Puliciphora rufipes (Phoridae) and Synthesiomyia nudiseta (Muscidae) outdoors in SE Spain.

The estimation of the minimum value of the postmortem interval is affected by well-known abiotic factors such as temperature and humidity, and others relating to the crime scene (e.g. the presence of direct sunlight or shade, immersion in water).

Coexistence and intraguild competition of Chrysomya albiceps and Lucilia sericata larvae: case reports and experimental studies applied to forensic entomology.

The larval development of Chrysomya albiceps and Lucilia sericata is a well-known and valuable tool for estimating the postmortem interval (PMI). The third instar larvae of Ch. albiceps are facultative predators of the larvae of other necrophagous dipterans, and this behaviour is undoubtedly an important factor to consider.

First Life Table of Synthesiomyia nudiseta (Diptera: Muscidae) From Palearctic Region for Analyzing the Effect on Its Dispersal Ability.

To better understand the population dynamics and dispersal ability of insect species, it is often helpful to derive a life table containing fundamental demographic data. The aim of this study was to determine a life table for the predatory necrophagous species Synthesiomyia nudiseta (van der Wulp, 1883) on a pig liver diet and under controlled laboratory conditions (29.5 ± 2.

Revision of the Afrotropical genus Zumpt, 1958, with notes on the morphology of Rhiniidae subfamilies (Diptera, Oestroidea).

The taxonomy and diversity of Zumpt, 1958, an exclusive Afrotropical genus, had not been reviewed recently. The genus included six nominal species, but the status of several of them was debated. Identification of most species depends on characters of the male terminalia; females are poorly known and, in several cases, are not adequately diagnosed.

Review of Synthesiomyia nudiseta (Diptera: Muscidae) as a useful tool in forensic entomology.

Synthesiomyia nudiseta (van der Wulp, 1883) is a synanthropic muscid found in tropical and subtropical zones around the world. The larvae of this species are a secondary agent of myiasis with necrophagous habits and play an important role in forensic entomology, as they are used as an indicator of post-mortem interval. Adults can be considered vectors of etiological agents such as Escherichia coli and Shigella dysenteriae.

Wing morphometrics for identification of forensically important blowflies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) in Iberian Peninsula.

Calliphoridae is a family of Diptera of great forensic interest because some of its species belong to the sarcosaprophagous diptera community, as their larvae are necrophagous or necrophilous. In the Iberian Peninsula there are six species that stand out, as they are the first insects to arrive at carrion: Calliphora vicina, Calliphora vomitoria, Lucilia sericata, Lucilia caesar, Chrysomya albiceps and Chrysomya megacephala. To differentiate among these blowflies, we compared the value of using traditional and geometric morphometrics by performing a morphometric analysis of the wings (shape and size).

Predatory behavior of Synthesiomyia nudiseta larvae (Diptera: Muscidae) on several necrophagous blowfly species (Diptera: Calliphoridae).

Intraguild interactions play a prominent role in sarcosaprophagous communities, so intraspecific and interspecific competition phenomena between fly larvae take place. Synthesiomyia nudiseta is a species that has recently been recorded on human corpses in Europe, and it has been cited in forensic cases in Spain and Italy. The mature larvae are known to be facultative predators on necrophagous fly larvae, but their role as predators is unknown.

The blowflies of the Madeira Archipelago: species diversity, distribution and identification (Diptera, Calliphoridae).

Knowledge on the taxonomic diversity and distribution of blowflies from the Madeira Archipelago is updated. New and interesting findings are reported for poorly studied islands and islets of this archipelago, together with a brief analysis of the diversity of Macaronesian Calliphoridae Seven blowfly species were collected during this study, including the first records of Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830, (Wiedemann, 1819), (Meigen, 1826), (Fabricius, 1794) and (Fabricius, 1805) from Porto Santo, and of , and from Desertas Islands. The presence of Enderlein, 1903 in Madeira Laurisilva forest is discussed and its first instar larva is redescribed, revealing important differences in relation to its original description.

Biodegradation of pig manure by the housefly, Musca domestica: a viable ecological strategy for pig manure management.

The technology for biodegradation of pig manure by using houseflies in a pilot plant capable of processing 500-700 kg of pig manure per week is described. A single adult cage loaded with 25,000 pupae produced 177.7±32.

First record of Hermetia illucens (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) on human corpses in Iberian Peninsula.

This article presents the first record of Hermetia illucens larvae on a human corpse in Spain (the second case report in Europe). Prepupae of H. illucens, and other insects, were recovered from the dead body of a 72-year-old man in an advanced stage of decomposition.