Intra-puparial development and age estimation of forensically important Hermetia illucens (L.)

The black soldier fly, Hermetia illucens (L.) (Diptera: Stratiomyidae), is a generalist detritivore commonly present in the advanced decomposed and skeletonized remains stage, and may be useful in the estimation of the postmortem interval (PMI). In order to study the intra-puparial morphological characteristics of H. illucens (black soldier flies) under increasing temperatures, flies were obtained from a colony in a successional study conducted in the Panyu District of Guangzhou. After oviposition, eggs were incubated under constant temperatures of 20, 24, 28, 32 (+/- 1) degrees C with 70% relative humidity and an L12:D12 photoperiod. Sampling began at the onset of the pupal stage (n = 10) and continued daily. Pupae were fixed in Carnoy's solution and maintained in 75% ethanol. Intrapuparial morphological characteristics were photographed and recorded. Some typical intra-puparial morphological characteristics which are valuable for age estimation were documented and the relationships with time under different constant temperatures were listed. Eight phases were described on the basis of the intrapuparial morphological changes, including antennae, appendages, mouthparts, compound eyes, and respiratory horns. The time required for development was inversely correlated with temperature. This article provides fundamental data for forensic entomology in regard to the postmortem interval (PMI) estimation, particularly when the PMI is based on information about the pupa of H. illucens. (C) 2016 Korean Society of Applied Entomology, Taiwan Entomological Society and Malaysian Plant Protection Society. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.