Accelerating Chrysomya Megacephala Maggot Growth for Forensic Entomology Cases
- Author:
Mohd Iswadi Ismail
;
Khairul Osman
;
Ong Hua King
;
Nurhaslina Hassan
;
Ezlan Elias
;
Kaswandi Md. Ambia
;
Ahmad Rohi Ghazali
;
Jamaludin Mohamed
;
Baharuddin Hj Omar
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Chrysomya megacephala, temperature, humidity
- From:Malaysian Journal of Health Sciences
2007;5(1):17-26
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Forensic entomology is defined as knowledge about insect and its relationship with a decomposed human body. With this knowledge, post-mortem interval (PMI) can be estimated. PMI can be determined by taking into consideration the insect species and the developmental stage of the insects. Identification
of the insect species requires the insect to develop into adulthood. Since this will take a relatively long time, the objectives of this study were to optimize
temperature and humidity for the growth of Chrysomya megacephala larvae to adults. C. megacephala larvae were transferred into a rearing container
and put inside a special incubator with temperature adjusted to 27, 30, 33, 36 and 39°C separately. Once optimum temperature for larvae growth was
determined, optimum relative humidity was determined then for the length of time taken for C. megacephala larvae to develop into adults. To achieve this,
the larvae of C. megacephala were incubated in a special incubator and the relative humidity set at 54.2, 57.6, 76.0 and 67.5% (control) separately. The
developmental stages of C. megacephala for both temperatures and humidity
levels were recorded accordingly. Results obtained indicated that C. megacephala developmental stages grew much faster in 33oC than other
temperatures. The optimum relative humidity level for the species was 76.0%. By utilizing the appropriate temperature and relative humidity the
development of C. megacephala, from eggs to adults could be reduced from 8 to 9 days to 5 days.
- Full text:W020150619321090243890.pdf
