Morphological Aspects of the Larval Instars of Chrysomya Albiceps
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Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Vol. 92(2): 187-196, Mar./Apr. 1997 187 Morphological Aspects of the Larval Instars of Chrysomya albiceps (Diptera, Calliphoridae) Reared in the Laboratory Margareth Maria de Carvalho Queiroz/+, Rubens Pinto de Mello*, Marli Maria Lima Laboratório de Biologia e Controle de Insetos Vetores, Departamento de Biologia *Laboratório de Díptera, Departamento de Entomologia, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Av. Brasil 4365, 21045-900 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil In order to study the morphology of young Chrysomya albiceps forms, newly hatched larvae were collected at 2 hr intervals, during the first 56 hr; after this time the collection was made at 12 hr inter- vals. For identification and drawing, larvae were placed between a slide and a coverslip. The cephalopharyngeal skeletons along with the first and last segments were cut off for observation of their structures and spiracles. The larvae present microspines, which are distributed randomly throughout the 12 segments of the body surface; the cephalopharyngeal skeleton varies in shape and extent of sclerotization according to larval instar; the second and third instars have relatively long processes (tubercles) on the dorsal, lateral and ventral surfaces, with microspine circles on the terminal portion. Key words: blowfly - Chrysomya albiceps - larval morphology Guimarães et al. (1978) were the first research- During the 70’s the two species were geographi- ers who recorded the presence of Chrysomya cally isolated, C. albiceps being restricted to Af- albiceps (Wiedemann, 1819), Chrysomya rica and C. rufifacies to regions of Eastern Asia megacephala (Fabricius, 1974) and Chrysomya and Australia, although occupying the same bio- putoria (Wiedemann, 1818) in Brazil. According logical niches in their respective natural biotopes to them, these species were probably introduced (Baumgartner 1993). in the southern region of Brazil by ships coming Some behavioral aspects of C. albiceps, such from Angola, Africa. These Diptera are consid- as high dispersal rate, easy adaptation to new en- ered important from the sanitary standpoint, since vironments and a wide geographic distribution in they may be mechanical vector of enteropathogens our territory suggest that deeper studies should be for humans as well as cause facultative myiasis. conducted on the morphology of immature phases, Today, they are widely distributed throughout the since this would be useful for future field control neotropical region (Prado & Guimarães 1982, programs. Thus, the purpose of the present study Baumgartner 1988), and have drawn the attention is to provide information on new morphological of several researchers. However, only the last two aspects, specially related to the first and second species have been well studied in terms of biology larvae. and taxonomy of the adults. The taxonomy of MATERIALS AND METHODS C. albiceps is still quite unknown since it was long thought to be indistinguishable from those of C. Newly hatched larvae of C. albiceps were ob- rufifacies (Macquart, 1842) (Patton 1922, Zumpt tained from adults maintained in the laboratory, 1965, Kurahashi 1981, Richard & Gerrish 1983), according to the methodology of Queiroz and a species that has not yet been recorded in Brazil. Milward-de-Azevedo (1991). The study was con- However, more accurate observations have shown ducted in a climatic chamber regulated at 27 ± 1°C, some morphological aspects of the third instar of 60 ± 10% relative humidity and a 14 hr photope- both species that allow their differentiation riod. After ovipositing, egg masses were collected, (Erzinçlioglu 1987, Tantawi & Greenberg 1993). weighed and separated into three groups of 0.05 g each. The eggs were placed on Petri dishes lined with filter paper moistened with distilled water and incubated at 27°C. After hatching, the larval groups *CNPq research fellow were transferred to vessels containing 300 g diet, +Corresponding author. Fax: +55-21-290.1146 consisting of rotten horse meat (fresh meat thawed Received 23 April 1996 and kept in the refrigerator for 11 days and then Accepted 19 December 1996 heated to 27°C in a climatic chamber for 2 hr). 188 Morphological Aspects of the Larval Instars of C. albiceps MMC Queiroz et al. A sample of ten larvae (three replications) was joined to the ventral branch of the pharyngeal scler- collected at 2 hr intervals, during the first 56 hr; ite where it gives rise to the formation of the canali- after this time the collection was made at 12-hr culi of the ventral surface of the pharyngeal lumen intervals, until all mature larvae had abandoned the (Figs 2, 3). diet. The larvae of each sample were sacrificed, Pharyngeal sclerite pigmented, presenting fixed in San Jean fluid heated to 60°C for one week zones of greater or lesser pigment condensation; and transferred to 70% alcohol for later study, when clypeal arch complete and chitinized, as also is the they were transferred to glass vessels containing entire pharynx. Dorsal horn slightly larger than the lactophenol. Larval instars were characterized ac- ventral one and both have outer margins delineated cording to the number of spiracular openings and by slightly pigmented parallel lines; the dorsal horn the presence or absence of anterior spiracles. joins the ventral one through a narrow region which The larvae were placed between slide and cov- is more chitinized; the posterior region of the ven- erslip for analysis and drawing. The cephalopha- tral horn has a more or less straight outer margin ryngeal skeletons as well as the first and last seg- with an abrupt downward slope forming a long and ments were severed from their structure and spi- sharp extremity (Figs 2, 3, 4). racle structure for easier observation. The analysis The posterior end of the larva (segment 12) has a and drawings were performed under the ligth mi- pair of posterior spiracles with only one spiracular croscope with a camera lucida. Scales were ob- opening; this segment presents a pair of ventrome- tained by projecting a micrometer scale onto the dial tubercles and a pair of anal tubercles; peritrema light camera. The terminology used for the de- closed and slightly pigmented; the pair of spiracles scription of larval instars was that of Lopes (1943, is situated in a convex position in the median-apical 1982) and McAlpine et al. (1981). region of the spiracular plate (Figs 5, 6). RESULTS Transition from first to second larval instar: pharata - Figs 7 to 17 - As observed by transpar- Description of the larvae - Figs 1 to 11 - First ency, at 14 hr the larvae present in the second tho- instar - Body composed by 12 segments separated racic segment a rudimentary anterior spiracle in by groups of spines with different shape, size and formation that throughout time changes until it position, arranged in rows in the limit of all seg- reaches its definitive second instar shape, when ments (Fig. 1). mounlt occurs (Figs 7, 8, 9, 13). The presence of Pseudocephalon membranous and wide, with first instar structures is observed basically in the a slight narrowing close to the palps and antennae cephalopharyngeal skeleton, together with the pro- with an oral cristae in the preoral cavity; palps and gressive formation of structures belonging to the antennae conspicuous; the first thoracic segment second instar cuticle, i.e., the labial sclerite (max- surrounded by groups of robust spines that vary in illae) and the dentate sclerite that can be individu- size and shape (generally widened) and positioned alized; both are only slightly chitinized. These laterally above the atrium. Suprabuccal teeth and structures change throughout time and become cephalopharyngeal skeleton slightly chitinized more chitinized (Figs 10, 11, 12). (Figs 1, 2, 3). The posterior spiracle of first instar larvae can Labial sclerite (maxilla) formed by a pair of be observed at the posterior end of segment 12, symmetrical parts articulated at the base, wide, and by transparency, the formation of the poste- elongated and slightly chitinized; both present rior spiracle can be observed on the second instar sharp and slightly curved apices; dental sclerite cuticle, with two still incipient spiracular openings. (dentate) poorly individualized and fully incorpo- In this segment and on the same second instar cu- rated into the labial sclerite (Figs 2, 3, 4). ticle, three pairs of tubercles can be seen in the Hypostomal sclerite attached to the pharyngeal dorsal part: an inner-dorsal one, a dorsomedial one one and forming a wide forceps (Figs 2, 3, 4). In- and a dorsal-external one, as well as three ventral fra-hypostomal sclerite more developed than the tubercles: a ventral-external one, a ventromedian others in the intermediate region; with a ventral one and a ventral-internal one, as well as a pair of prolongation corresponding to the median beam, anal tubercles. below which is the salivary gland duct. When Second instar - Spines between segments are viewed dorsally and/or ventrally, it is H shaped, formed by one, two or three strongly pigmented with the lateral branches articulating with an odd tips. Beginning from the fourth segment (third tho- branch from which they detach easily. This part is racic segment) a laterodorsal, a dorsolateral and a inserted into the hypostomal sclerite, but its limits dorsomedian pairs of tubercles are observed at are well defined (Figs 2, 3, 4). dorsal surface and a lateroventral, a ventrolateral Infrapharyngeal sclerite barely visible and and a ventromedian pairs at ventral surface. These Mem Inst