The Effect of Nicotine on Carrion Feeding Insects With

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

The Effect of Nicotine on Carrion Feeding Insects With The Effect of Nicotine on Carrion Feeding Insects with Considerations For Use Within Forensic Sciences Andrew Chick A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements of Nottingham Trent University, in collaboration with Staffordshire University, for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. September 2014 - 1 - “Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should dwell” Sherlock Holmes. The Copper Beeches. By Sir Arthur Conan Doyle This work is the intellectual property of the author. You may copy up to 5% of this work for private study, or personal, non-commercial research. Any re-use of the information contained within this document should be fully referenced, quoting the author, title, university, degree level and pagination. Queries or requests for any other use, or if a more substantial copy is required, should be directed in the owner(s) of the Intellectual Property Rights. All Photos, unless expressly stated otherwise, are copy write of the author - 2 - Abstract The presence of invertebrates on decomposing animal matter has been used extensively by forensic entomologists to estimate time of death for over 100 years. The presence of toxins such as drugs and pesticides on carrion can affect the behaviour and life cycle of such invertebrates. The aim of this thesis was to examine the effects of nicotine upon the colonisation of carrion by invertebrates; nicotine was used because of its historical use as an insecticide and its ubiquitous use in society. The investigations aimed to examine these possible effects both in situ in field-based testing and ex situ in a controlled laboratory environment and to work towards an empirically testable correction factor for the estimation of Postmortem interval estimates in the presence of nicotine . The field-based testing was done using Sus domestica (Linnaeus) carrion with a solution of nicotine injected into the cadaveric throat of the animal. The carrion was protected from feeding and removal by vertebrate scavengers. It was found that nicotine affected the time taken for Diptera to colonise the carrion as well as affecting the behaviour of feeding. Diptera larvae showed avoidance of the nicotine treated throat sites on the carrion, which is the normal site of oviposition. It was determined that the rove beetle Creophilus maxillosus (Linnaeus) was exclusively found on the higher dose nicotine carrion. The rare hoverfly Rhingia rostrata (Linnaeus) was discovered on the control animal; this is the first specimen reported in Nottinghamshire. The investigation also found the first record of the Soldierfly Sargus bipunctatus breeding in carrion; the late breeding period of this species and its significance to the forensic entomologist is considered. The experiments were conducted in the Autumn/Winter months and Spring/Summer months. Nicotine appeared to have a differing effect with the season as the autumnal fauna varied from that of the spring fauna. The presence of nicotine appeared to prevent the animal carcass from drying out, typified by mycophagus beetles in autumn and semi-liquid habitat breeding flies in the summer. The laboratory based investigation examined the effects of nicotine upon the life cycle of Calliphora vomitoria including the effects upon oviposition, rate of development and survivablity. It was found that nicotine significantly affects rate of development of this forensically important fly. This study has shown that a careful study of a single chemical compound and its interaction with carrion and entomology has profound effects upon the alteration of the normal activity of a range of forensically important invertebrates. It will assist in improving the evidential usefulness of entomology to the Forensic Science and Policing communities in criminal investigations. - 3 - Acknowledgments NHL Legend Wayne Gretzky once said “you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take” but he also assisted twice as many goals as he scored. Without the following assistance I wouldn’t have had the chance to take this shot. Firstly I would like to thank my supervisory team, starting with the longest serving/suffering Director of Studies Dr Chris Terrell-Nield and the long suffering Prof John Cassella who have been part of the project really since before the start of the PhD, at the tail end of my MSc at Staffordshire University and in the case of Prof Cassella since the MSc, who have edited my numerous typos as well as edited and supported this work all the way through. Thank you to Prof Brian Pyatt, for his support and advice, for the first half of the project, as a Supervisor and the latter part as an advisor. Gratitude to Dr Chris Smillie and Dr Rachel Stubbington for their contributions after Brian’s retirement. Finally thanks to Dr David Hughes for his contribution as Independent assessor of the project. I am thankful to Nottingham Trent University for taking me on as PhD candidate, Staffordshire University for agreeing to be a collaborating institution, and The Universities of Derby and Lincoln for taking me on as an hourly paid lecturer which I feel has sharpened my skills in Forensic Entomology as well as my colleagues and friends at all of these institutions. I would like to thank the Dipterists’ Forum and Peter Chandler for allowing me to write the section on Collection of Diptera from Carrion for the Dipterists’ handbook, and the Royal Entomological Society for bestowing the honour of Fellowship upon me. But a PhD cannot thrive purely on the support and guidance of academics alone, and with this in mind I would like to thank my Family for their support and tolerance of their “weird relative that plays with bugs and dead things”, most notably my Mum and Dad (Chris and Sally Chick), My Gran (Beryl Chick), The outlaws (Pete and Maggie Sparks), Sam, Ash, Chelsea, Jessica, Brooke and Layla. You all helped keep me sane when I had difficult insects to identify or worse, ANOVA to calculate. And last but certainly by no means least, I want to thank my very long suffering Fiancée Kim-Louise Sparks, for putting up with gross photos of decay, weird smelling samples, and for proof reading my work before anyone else does, being grumpy when the laptop doesn’t work, and with how long I have been a student for,. I couldn’t have got this far without you. So thank you to all of the above and to anyone I may have missed. It has been a hell of a ride. - 4 - Table of Contents Abstract Page 3 Acknowledgments Page 4 List of Tables Page 11 List of Figures Page 13 Chapter one: Introduction Page 18 1.1 General introduction Page 18 1.2 The process of death and decomposition of animal remains Page 19 1.3 Forensic Entomology Page 22 1.4 Case studies Page 24 1.5 Factors affecting decomposition and insect development Page 26 1.6 Forensic entomotoxicology Page 34 1.7 Toxins other than drugs of abuse Page 40 1.8 Nicotine and related compounds Page 45 1.9 Aims Objectives and Outcomes Page 53 Chapter two: Baseline Studies Page 55 2.1 Introduction and rationale Page 55 2.2 Site descriptions Page 57 2.3 Methodology Page 58 2.3.1 Curation of specimens Page 60 2.4 Results Page 62 2.5 Discussion Page 66 2.5.1 Diptera: Sciaridae Page 66 - 5 - 2.5.2 Phoridae Page 66 2.5.3 Psychodidae Page 67 2.5.4 Heleomyzidae Page 67 2.5.5. Sepsidae Page 68 2.5.6 Dryomyzidae Page 68 2.5.7. Sphaeroceridae Page 68 2.5.8. Clussidae Page 69 2.5.9. Muscidae Page 69 2.5.9 Calliphoridae Page 70 2.5.10 Coleoptera: Carabidae Page 70 2.5.11 Leiodidae Page 70 2.5.12 Hydrophilidae Page 71 2.5.13 Histeridae Page 71 2.5.14 Nitidulidae Page 71 2.5.15 Stapylinidae Page 72 2.5.16 Hymenoptera: Braconidae Page 72 2.5.17 Vespidae Page 73 2.5.18 Lepidoptera: Tineidae Page 74 2.5.19 Hemiptera: Lygaeidae Page 74 2.5.20 Dermaptera: Forficulidae Page 74 2.5.21 Acari Page 75 2.6 Conclusion and final site selection Page 77 Chapter three: Autumn/winter pig carrion field tests Page 79 3.1 Introduction Page 79 3.2 Methodology Page 79 - 6 - 3.3 Results Page 83 3.3.1 Meteorological measurements Page 83 3.3.2 Observations on carrion Page 90 3.4 Discussion Page 93 3.4.1 Diptera: Calliphoridae Page 93 3.4.2 Syrphidae Page 95 3.4.3 Stratiomyidae Page 97 3.4.4 Fanniidae Page 98 3.4.5 Coleoptera: Silphidae Page 99 3.4.6. Staphylinidae Page 102 3.4.7 Scarabaeidae Page 106 3.4.8. Ptiliidae Page 107 3.4.9. Lathridiidae Page 109 3.4.10 Mycetophagidae Page 110 3.4.11. Nitidulidae Page 112 3.4.12. Pseudoscorpionida: Neobisiidae Page 113 3.5 Conclusion Page 114 Chapter 4: Spring/summer pig carrion field tests Page 117 4.1 Introduction Page 117 4.2 Methodology Page 118 4.3 Results Page 119 4.3.1 Observations Page 124 4.3.2 Comparative seasonal data Page 128 4.4 Discussion Page 131 4.4.1 Coleoptera: Silphidae Page 134 - 7 - 4.4.2 Scarabaeidae Page 136 4.4.3 Nitidulidae Page 136 4.4.4 Histeridae Page 137 4.4.5 Diptera: Bibionidae Page 138 4.4.6 Sphaeroceridae Page 139 4.4.7 Phoridae Page 140 4.4.8 Muscidae Page 140 4.4.9 Fanniidae Page 142 4.5 Conclusion Page 144 Chapter 5: Laboratory based element Page 145 5.1: Introduction Page 145 5.1.1 Rationale Page 145 5.1.2 The use of primary invertebrate colonisers in medico- Page 146 legal forensic entomology.
Recommended publications
  • 10 Arthropods and Corpses
    Arthropods and Corpses 207 10 Arthropods and Corpses Mark Benecke, PhD CONTENTS INTRODUCTION HISTORY AND EARLY CASEWORK WOUND ARTIFACTS AND UNUSUAL FINDINGS EXEMPLARY CASES: NEGLECT OF ELDERLY PERSONS AND CHILDREN COLLECTION OF ARTHROPOD EVIDENCE DNA FORENSIC ENTOMOTOXICOLOGY FURTHER ARTIFACTS CAUSED BY ARTHROPODS REFERENCES SUMMARY The determination of the colonization interval of a corpse (“postmortem interval”) has been the major topic of forensic entomologists since the 19th century. The method is based on the link of developmental stages of arthropods, especially of blowfly larvae, to their age. The major advantage against the standard methods for the determination of the early postmortem interval (by the classical forensic pathological methods such as body temperature, post- mortem lividity and rigidity, and chemical investigations) is that arthropods can represent an accurate measure even in later stages of the postmortem in- terval when the classical forensic pathological methods fail. Apart from esti- mating the colonization interval, there are numerous other ways to use From: Forensic Pathology Reviews, Vol. 2 Edited by: M. Tsokos © Humana Press Inc., Totowa, NJ 207 208 Benecke arthropods as forensic evidence. Recently, artifacts produced by arthropods as well as the proof of neglect of elderly persons and children have become a special focus of interest. This chapter deals with the broad range of possible applications of entomology, including case examples and practical guidelines that relate to history, classical applications, DNA typing, blood-spatter arti- facts, estimation of the postmortem interval, cases of neglect, and entomotoxicology. Special reference is given to different arthropod species as an investigative and criminalistic tool. Key Words: Arthropod evidence; forensic science; blowflies; beetles; colonization interval; postmortem interval; neglect of the elderly; neglect of children; decomposition; DNA typing; entomotoxicology.
    [Show full text]
  • (Diptera: Calliphoridae) from India
    International Journal of Entomology Research International Journal of Entomology Research ISSN: 2455-4758 Impact Factor: RJIF 5.24 www.entomologyjournals.com Volume 3; Issue 1; January 2018; Page No. 43-48 Taxonomic studies on the genus Calliphora robineau-desvoidy (Diptera: Calliphoridae) from India 1 Inderpal Singh Sidhu, *2 Rashmi Gupta, 3 Devinder Singh 1, 2 Department of Zoology, SGGS College, Sector 26, Chandigarh, Punjab, India 3 Department of Zoology and Environment Sciences, Punjabi University, Patiala, Punjab, India Abstract Four Indian species belonging to the genus Calliphora Robineau-Desvoidy have been studied and detailed descriptions have been written for each of them that include synonymy, morphological attributes, colouration, chaetotaxy, wing venation, illustrations of male and female genitalia, material examined, distribution, holotype depository and remarks. A key to the Indian species has also been provided. Keywords: India, Calliphora, calliphorinae, calliphoridae, diptera Introduction . Calliphora rufifacies Macquart, 1851. Dipt. Exot. Suppl., The genus Calliphora Robineau-Desvoidy is represented by 4: 216. four species in India (Bharti, 2011) [2]. They are medium to . Musca aucta Walker, 1853. Insect. Saund. Dipt., 1: 334. large sized flies commonly called the blue bottles. The . Calliphora insidiosa Robineau-Desvoidy, 1863 Insect. diagnostic characters of the genus include: eyes holoptic or Saund. Dipt., 1: 334. subholoptic in male, dichoptic in female; jowls about half eye . Calliphora insidiosa Robineau-Desvoidy, 1863. Posth. 2: height; facial carina absent; length of 3rd antennal segment less 695. than 4X that of 2nd; arista long plumose; propleuron and . Calliphora turanica Rohdeau-Desvoidy, 1863. Posth., 2: prosternum hairy; postalar declivity hairy; acrostichals 1-3+3; 695.
    [Show full text]
  • Morphology, Taxonomy, and Biology of Larval Scarabaeoidea
    Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2011 with funding from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign http://www.archive.org/details/morphologytaxono12haye ' / ILLINOIS BIOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS Volume XII PUBLISHED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS *, URBANA, ILLINOIS I EDITORIAL COMMITTEE John Theodore Buchholz Fred Wilbur Tanner Charles Zeleny, Chairman S70.S~ XLL '• / IL cop TABLE OF CONTENTS Nos. Pages 1. Morphological Studies of the Genus Cercospora. By Wilhelm Gerhard Solheim 1 2. Morphology, Taxonomy, and Biology of Larval Scarabaeoidea. By William Patrick Hayes 85 3. Sawflies of the Sub-family Dolerinae of America North of Mexico. By Herbert H. Ross 205 4. A Study of Fresh-water Plankton Communities. By Samuel Eddy 321 LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS ILLINOIS BIOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS Vol. XII April, 1929 No. 2 Editorial Committee Stephen Alfred Forbes Fred Wilbur Tanner Henry Baldwin Ward Published by the University of Illinois under the auspices of the graduate school Distributed June 18. 1930 MORPHOLOGY, TAXONOMY, AND BIOLOGY OF LARVAL SCARABAEOIDEA WITH FIFTEEN PLATES BY WILLIAM PATRICK HAYES Associate Professor of Entomology in the University of Illinois Contribution No. 137 from the Entomological Laboratories of the University of Illinois . T U .V- TABLE OF CONTENTS 7 Introduction Q Economic importance Historical review 11 Taxonomic literature 12 Biological and ecological literature Materials and methods 1%i Acknowledgments Morphology ]* 1 ' The head and its appendages Antennae. 18 Clypeus and labrum ™ 22 EpipharynxEpipharyru Mandibles. Maxillae 37 Hypopharynx <w Labium 40 Thorax and abdomen 40 Segmentation « 41 Setation Radula 41 42 Legs £ Spiracles 43 Anal orifice 44 Organs of stridulation 47 Postembryonic development and biology of the Scarabaeidae Eggs f*' Oviposition preferences 48 Description and length of egg stage 48 Egg burster and hatching Larval development Molting 50 Postembryonic changes ^4 54 Food habits 58 Relative abundance.
    [Show full text]
  • Use of Necrophagous Insects As Evidence of Cadaver Relocation
    A peer-reviewed version of this preprint was published in PeerJ on 1 August 2017. View the peer-reviewed version (peerj.com/articles/3506), which is the preferred citable publication unless you specifically need to cite this preprint. Charabidze D, Gosselin M, Hedouin V. 2017. Use of necrophagous insects as evidence of cadaver relocation: myth or reality? PeerJ 5:e3506 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.3506 Use of necrophagous insects as evidence of cadaver relocation: myth or reality? Damien CHARABIDZE Corresp., 1 , Matthias GOSSELIN 2 , Valéry HEDOUIN 1 1 CHU Lille, EA 7367 - UTML - Unite de Taphonomie Medico-Legale, Univ Lille, 59000 Lille, France 2 Research Institute of Biosciences, Laboratory of Zoology, UMONS - Université de Mons, Mons, Belgium Corresponding Author: Damien CHARABIDZE Email address: [email protected] The use of insects as indicators of postmortem displacement is discussed in many text, courses and TV shows, and several studies addressing this issue have been published. However, the concept is widely cited but poorly understood, and only a few forensic cases have successfully applied such a method. Surprisingly, this question has never be taken into account entirely as a cross-disciplinary theme. The use of necrophagous insects as evidence of cadaver relocation actually involves a wide range of data on their biology: distribution areas, microhabitats, phenology, behavioral ecology and molecular analysis are among the research areas linked to this problem. This article reviews for the first time the current knowledge on these questions and analysze the possibilities/limitations of each method to evaluate their feasibility. This analysis reveals numerous weaknesses and mistaken beliefs but also many concrete possibilities and research opportunities.
    [Show full text]
  • Sphaeroceridae (Diptera) in Burrows of Rabbit and Fox in Central Bohemia (Czech Republic), with Description of a New Species of Minilimosina Roháèek
    © Entomologica Fennica. 10 September 2019 Sphaeroceridae (Diptera) in burrows of rabbit and fox in central Bohemia (Czech Republic), with description of a new species of Minilimosina Roháèek Jindøich Roháèek Roháèek, J. 2019: Sphaeroceridae (Diptera) in burrows ofrabbit and foxin cen - tral Bohemia (Czech Republic), with description ofa new species of Minilimo- sina Roháèek. Entomol. Fennica 30: 97113. https://doi.org/10.33338/ ef.84085 The communities ofSphaeroceridae in burrows ofEuropean Rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus and Red Fox Vulpes vulpes in central Bohemia (the Czech Republic) are described including number, dominance and constancy ofspecies and com - pared by means ofa similarity index. A total of17 species were recorded from burrows ofrabbit and 9 fromthose offox. Spelobia talparum (Richards, 1927) and S. pseudonivalis (Dahl, 1909) are considered pholeobiont (= eucoenic) and Spelobia czizeki (Duda, 1918) pholeophilous to pholeobiont species in this habi- tat. Comparison ofthese two communities with those recorded fromother mam- mal subterraneous habitats in Europe revealed that most similar are those from the same locality irrespective ofthe host mammal species or the size ofthe bur- row. The species spectrum ofEuropean Sphaeroceridae recorded from mammal burrows is reviewed and discussed. Minilimosina (Minilimosina) speluncana sp. n. is described on males found in rabbit burrow and its relationship and habitat as- sociation are discussed. J. Roháèek, Silesian Museum, Nádraní okruh 31, CZ-746 01 Opava, Czech Re- public. E-mail: [email protected] Received 3 April 2018, accepted 28 June 2018 1. Introduction undoubtedly inhabited by a rich dipterous com- munity, there are very few reliable data because While the communities offlies(Diptera), includ - most, particularly older, studies were mainly de- ing regularly representatives ofthe family voted to beetles (Coleoptera) and the dipterous Sphaeroceridae, have previously been rather of- component was partly or wholly neglected.
    [Show full text]
  • Dipterists Forum
    BULLETIN OF THE Dipterists Forum Bulletin No. 76 Autumn 2013 Affiliated to the British Entomological and Natural History Society Bulletin No. 76 Autumn 2013 ISSN 1358-5029 Editorial panel Bulletin Editor Darwyn Sumner Assistant Editor Judy Webb Dipterists Forum Officers Chairman Martin Drake Vice Chairman Stuart Ball Secretary John Kramer Meetings Treasurer Howard Bentley Please use the Booking Form included in this Bulletin or downloaded from our Membership Sec. John Showers website Field Meetings Sec. Roger Morris Field Meetings Indoor Meetings Sec. Duncan Sivell Roger Morris 7 Vine Street, Stamford, Lincolnshire PE9 1QE Publicity Officer Erica McAlister [email protected] Conservation Officer Rob Wolton Workshops & Indoor Meetings Organiser Duncan Sivell Ordinary Members Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD [email protected] Chris Spilling, Malcolm Smart, Mick Parker Nathan Medd, John Ismay, vacancy Bulletin contributions Unelected Members Please refer to guide notes in this Bulletin for details of how to contribute and send your material to both of the following: Dipterists Digest Editor Peter Chandler Dipterists Bulletin Editor Darwyn Sumner Secretary 122, Link Road, Anstey, Charnwood, Leicestershire LE7 7BX. John Kramer Tel. 0116 212 5075 31 Ash Tree Road, Oadby, Leicester, Leicestershire, LE2 5TE. [email protected] [email protected] Assistant Editor Treasurer Judy Webb Howard Bentley 2 Dorchester Court, Blenheim Road, Kidlington, Oxon. OX5 2JT. 37, Biddenden Close, Bearsted, Maidstone, Kent. ME15 8JP Tel. 01865 377487 Tel. 01622 739452 [email protected] [email protected] Conservation Dipterists Digest contributions Robert Wolton Locks Park Farm, Hatherleigh, Oakhampton, Devon EX20 3LZ Dipterists Digest Editor Tel.
    [Show full text]
  • Millichope Park and Estate Invertebrate Survey 2020
    Millichope Park and Estate Invertebrate survey 2020 (Coleoptera, Diptera and Aculeate Hymenoptera) Nigel Jones & Dr. Caroline Uff Shropshire Entomology Services CONTENTS Summary 3 Introduction ……………………………………………………….. 3 Methodology …………………………………………………….. 4 Results ………………………………………………………………. 5 Coleoptera – Beeetles 5 Method ……………………………………………………………. 6 Results ……………………………………………………………. 6 Analysis of saproxylic Coleoptera ……………………. 7 Conclusion ………………………………………………………. 8 Diptera and aculeate Hymenoptera – true flies, bees, wasps ants 8 Diptera 8 Method …………………………………………………………… 9 Results ……………………………………………………………. 9 Aculeate Hymenoptera 9 Method …………………………………………………………… 9 Results …………………………………………………………….. 9 Analysis of Diptera and aculeate Hymenoptera … 10 Conclusion Diptera and aculeate Hymenoptera .. 11 Other species ……………………………………………………. 12 Wetland fauna ………………………………………………….. 12 Table 2 Key Coleoptera species ………………………… 13 Table 3 Key Diptera species ……………………………… 18 Table 4 Key aculeate Hymenoptera species ……… 21 Bibliography and references 22 Appendix 1 Conservation designations …………….. 24 Appendix 2 ………………………………………………………… 25 2 SUMMARY During 2020, 811 invertebrate species (mainly beetles, true-flies, bees, wasps and ants) were recorded from Millichope Park and a small area of adjoining arable estate. The park’s saproxylic beetle fauna, associated with dead wood and veteran trees, can be considered as nationally important. True flies associated with decaying wood add further significant species to the site’s saproxylic fauna. There is also a strong
    [Show full text]
  • Environmental Toxicants in Forensic Entomology
    ISSN 2474-8978 TOXICOLOGY AND FORENSIC MEDICINE Open Journal Editorial Environmental Toxicants in Forensic Entomology Bashir M. Rezk, PhD1,2*; Myles S. Masters, BS Student1; Geoffroy E. Sanga Pema, BS Student1,2; Wayne J.G. Hellstrom, MD, FACS2; Asim B. Abdel-Mageed, DVM, PhD2; Suresh C. Sikka, PhD, HCLD2 1Department of Natural Sciences, Southern University at New Orleans, New Orleans, LA 70126, USA 2Department of Urology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA *Corresponding author Bashir M. Rezk, PhD Associate Professor, Department of Natural Sciences, Southern University at New Orleans, 6400 Press Drive, New Orleans, LA 70126, USA; Tel. +1(504)284-5405; E-mail: [email protected] Article information Received: December 18th, 2018; Accepted: December 19th, 2018; Published: December 21st, 2018 Cite this article Rezk BM, Masters MS, Pema GES, Hellstrom WJG, Abdel-Mageed AB, Sikka SC. Environmental toxicants in forensic entomology. Toxicol Forensic Med Open J. 2018; 3(1): e1-e2. doi: 10.17140/TFMOJ-3-e008 he fundament of toxicology is the risk-benefit analysis. Cer- and Coleoptera (beetles).4 The first recorded incident in which Ttain chemical exists in the environment that if ingested, even insects were used in a criminal investigation was in 13th century in minute quantities, may alter bodily functions, induce death and China, as described in Sung Tzu's book entitled “The Washing Away interfere with the rate of decomposition of dead bodies. Ancient of Wrongs”.4,5 When a farmer was found murdered in a field with cultures discovered and reported many naturally occurring toxins a sharp weapon, all the suspects were told to place their sickles that have been used in medications, hunting, and wars.
    [Show full text]
  • Serie B 1995 Vo!. 42 No. 2 Norwegian Journal of Entomology
    Serie B 1995 Vo!. 42 No. 2 Norwegian Journal of Entomology Publ ished by Foundation for Nature Research and Cultural Heritage Research Trondheim Fauna norvegica Ser. B Organ for Norsk Entomologisk Forening Appears with one volume (two issues) annually. also welcome. Appropriate topics include general and 1Jtkommer med to hefter pr. ar. applied (e.g. conservation) ecology, morphology, Editor in chief (Ansvarlig redakt0r) behaviour, zoogeography as well as methodological development. All papers in Fauna norvegica are Dr. John O. Solem, University of Trondheim, The reviewed by at least two referees. Museum, N-7004 Trondheiln. Editorial committee (Redaksjonskomite) FAUNA NORVEGICA Ser. B publishes original new information generally relevant to Norwegian entomol­ Arne C. Nilssen, Department of Zoology, Troms0 ogy. The journal emphasizes papers which are mainly Museum, N-9006 Troms0, Ole A. Scether, Museum of faunal or zoogeographical in scope or content, includ­ Zoology, Musepl. 3, N-5007 Bergen. Reidar Mehl, ing check lists, faunal lists, type catalogues, regional National Institute of Public Health, Geitmyrsveien 75, keys, and fundalnental papers having a conservation N-0462 Oslo. aspect. Subnlissions must not have been previously Abonnement 1996 published or copyrighted and must not be published Medlemmer av Norsk Entomologisk Forening (NEF) subsequently except in abstract form or by written con­ far tidsskriftet fritt tilsendt. Medlemlner av Norsk sent of the Managing Editor. Ornitologisk Forening (NOF) mottar tidsskriftet ved a Subscription 1996 betale kr. 90. Andre ma betale kr. 120. Disse innbeta­ Members of the Norw. Ent. Soc. (NEF) will receive the lingene sendes Stiftelsen for naturforskning og kuItur­ journal free. The membership fee of NOK 150 should be minneforskning (NINA-NIKU), Tungasletta 2, N-7005 paid to the treasurer of NEF, Preben Ottesen, Gustav Trondheim.
    [Show full text]
  • Enhancing Forensic Entomology Applications: Identification and Ecology
    Enhancing forensic entomology applications: identification and ecology A Thesis Submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in the Faculty of Arts and Science TRENT UNIVERSITY Peterborough, Ontario, Canada © Copyright by Sarah Victoria Louise Langer 2017 Environmental and Life Sciences M.Sc. Graduate Program September 2017 ABSTRACT Enhancing forensic entomology applications: identification and ecology Sarah Victoria Louise Langer The purpose of this thesis is to enhance forensic entomology applications through identifications and ecological research with samples collected in collaboration with the OPP and RCMP across Canada. For this, we focus on blow flies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) and present data collected from 2011-2013 from different terrestrial habitats to analyze morphology and species composition. Specifically, these data were used to: 1) enhance and simplify morphological identifications of two commonly caught forensically relevant species; Phormia regina and Protophormia terraenovae, using their frons-width to head- width ratio as an additional identifying feature where we found distinct measurements between species, and 2) to assess habitat specificity for urban and rural landscapes, and the scale of influence on species composition when comparing urban and rural habitats across all locations surveyed where we found an effect of urban habitat on blow fly species composition. These data help refine current forensic entomology applications by adding to the growing knowledge of distinguishing morphological features, and our understanding of habitat use by Canada’s blow fly species which may be used by other researchers or forensic practitioners. Keywords: Calliphoridae, Canada, Forensic Science, Morphology, Cytochrome Oxidase I, Distribution, Urban, Ecology, Entomology, Forensic Entomology ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS “Blow flies are among the most familiar of insects.
    [Show full text]
  • Quick Guide for the Identification Of
    Quick Guide for the Identification of Maryland Scarabaeoidea Mallory Hagadorn Dr. Dana L. Price Department of Biological Sciences Salisbury University This document is a pictorial reference of Maryland Scarabaeoidea genera (and sometimes species) that was created to expedite the identification of Maryland Scarabs. Our current understanding of Maryland Scarabs comes from “An Annotated Checklist of the Scarabaeoidea (Coleoptera) of Maryland” (Staines 1984). Staines reported 266 species and subspecies using literature and review of several Maryland Museums. Dr. Price and her research students are currently conducting a bioinventory of Maryland Scarabs that will be used to create a “Taxonomic Guide to the Scarabaeoidea of Maryland”. This will include dichotomous keys to family and species based on historical reports and collections from all 23 counties in Maryland. This document should be cited as: Hagadorn, M.A. and D.L. Price. 2012. Quick Guide for the Identification of Maryland Scarabaeoidea. Salisbury University. Pp. 54. Questions regarding this document should be sent to: Dr. Dana L. Price - [email protected] **All pictures within are linked to their copyright holder. Table of Contents Families of Scarabaeoidea of Maryland……………………………………... 6 Geotrupidae……………………………………………………………………. 7 Subfamily Bolboceratinae……………………………………………… 7 Genus Bolbocerosoma………………………………………… 7 Genus Eucanthus………………………………………………. 7 Subfamily Geotrupinae………………………………………………… 8 Genus Geotrupes………………………………………………. 8 Genus Odonteus...……………………………………………… 9 Glaphyridae..............................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Laboulbeniales (Ascomycetes) from Latvia
    ACTA MYCOLOGICA Dedicated to Professor Alina Skirgiełło Vol. 41 (1): 55-64 on the occasion of her ninety fifth birthday 2006 Laboulbeniales (Ascomycetes) from Latvia ANDRÉ DE KESEL and INGUNA KRASTINA DE KESEL National Botanic Garden of Belgium, Domein van Bouchout B 1860 Meise, [email protected] De Kesel A., K rastina De Kesel I.: Laboulbeniales (Ascomycetes) from Latvia. Acta Mycol. 41 (1): 55 64, 2006. This contribution presents new and historical data on the Laboulbeniales of Latvian Coleoptera. An annotated checklist of 26 taxa is given, 13 are new for Latvia. Only six taxa (accepted names) from Briedis’ historical list were found again and six more need to be confirmed as Briedis’ material was lost. A neotype is indicated here for the extremely rare Laboulbenia elaphricola Siemaszko et Siemaszko. Its morphology is discussed and compared with Laboulbenia elaphri Spegazzini and Laboulbenia vulgaris Peyr. Key words: Laboulbeniales, Latvia, Coleoptera, Laboulbenia elaphricola INTRODUCTION Laboulbeniales (Ascomycetes) are strictly parasitic on Arthropoda, mainly in- sects. Although widespread, information concerning their distribution in Europe is unequal and, as yet, a reflection of the distribution of laboulbeniologists in Europe (Weir, Rossi 1995). The most exhaustive studies were carried out in Spain and Poland, followed by France, Finland, Britain, Italy, Belgium, Germany and Hungary. From other European countries, including the Baltic countries, only very few and iso- lated reports or collections are available. Records from Estonia and Lithuania have been published in Siemaszko and Siemaszko (1928, 1932), Huldén (1985) and Markovskaja (2000) respectively. In Latvia 16 species of Laboulbeniales have been recorded in the literature (Briedis 1932; Huldén 1985).
    [Show full text]