First report in Chile of Chrysomya albiceps (Diptera: Calliphoridae) in forensic entomological evidence

Abstract

Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) is a hemisynanthropic fly widely distributed in Latin America. This organism is probably the most important fly species for forensic entomology in human and veterinary casuistic. Until now, there is no evidence of the presence of this species in Chile. We analysed entomological evidence collected from 60 human bodies found by Carabineros de Chile (Labocar) from 2006 through 2011 from Antofagasta (23º36' 40'' S; 70º23' 31'' W) to Punta Arenas (53º10' 00'' S; 70º56' 00'' W). Larvae of C. albicepswere found in five cases. The succession of the insect in pig carcasses decomposing during the summer in the central area of Chile (35°39' 46,83" S; 71°43' 14,85'' W) was analysed to report experimental evidence of the presence of C. albiceps in Chile and to record its life cycle. The development time of the fly from egg to imago emergence was 12 days. The largest 10% of the larvae in every sample was measured and data was presented in a table that can be used in Chilean forensic entomology. This is the first report of the presence of C. albiceps in Chile in forensic cases and we provide the first table containing the life cycle of this species in pig carcasses, this information could be used in forensic analysis for human and veterinary entomology.