ABSTRACTPostmortem injuries are a source of misinterpretations in forensic analysis and therefore are subject matter of taphonomic interest. Many types of injuries can cause different artifacts, which deserve attention of the forensic pathologists when evaluating corpses, either at the crime scene or during an autopsy. Insects can be important biotaphonomic agents and their activity may result in artifacts that resemble antemortem injuries. Here, we describe postmortem injuries caused by the Neotropical wasp Agelaia fulvofasciata (Degeer, 1773) on domestic pig carcasses weighting 15 kg. The specimens showed extensive injuries to the lower lip, similar to lacerations, and some minor lesions on the snout and anus. In addition, we observed the same wasp species preying on larvae of Sarcophagidae (Peckia sp.). Besides causing postmortem injuries, the ability of this species to detect carcasses in the early and fresh decomposition stages should be noted. Thus, future applications aiming criminal, any biotaphonomic events caused by carrion insects need to be disclosed.

Bioactivity of the latex from Parahancornia amapa (Apocynaceae) on the development of Rhodnius nasutus (Hemiptera, Reduviidae, Triatominae) under laboratory conditions. The aim of this study was to verify the effects of the methanolic fraction of the latex from Parahancornia amapa (Apocynaceae) (PALAM) on individuals of the species Rhodnius nasutus Stål (Hemiptera, Triatominae). Many of the insects treated with the substance presented deformities and these may interfere in the feeding and possibly hinder the reproductive capacity. They also presented significant mortality during the molt when compared to the control group, noting a gradual increase in mortality. The treated insects also presented delayed nymphal development (5th instar) and higher adult longevity.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the latex from Euphorbia splendens var. hislopii (N.E. Br.) Ursch & Leandri, Euphorbiaceae, on the eggs and engorged larvae of Rhipicephalus (B.) sanguineus (Latreille, 1806) (Acari: Ixodidae). Six aqueous concentrations: 25, 50, 100, 125, 250 and 500 μL/L of the latex of this plant were tested. The control group was tested only with distilled water. The latex of E. splendens var. hislopii presented an LD50 of 18.031 μL/L and LD90 of 84.610 μL/L against the eggs of R. (B.) sanguineus. The larvae of all the groups treated with the latex presented a low survival rate of 0% at 25 μL/L, 1% at 50 μL/L, 2% at 100 μL/L, 3% at 125 μL/L, 9% at 250 μL/L, 5% at 500 μL/L when compared with the control group (91%). On day 7 and 14 after the application the latex killed more efficiently the treated groups (25, 50, 100, 125, 250 and 500 μL/L). As from day 21 the latex became less effective for all treatments. Our results clearly show that the aqueous concentration of the latex have a strong effect on tick eggs and larvae suggesting that it could become an important acaricide.

O presente estudo teve como objetivo analisar a atração de califorídeos por armadilhas pintadas com diferentes cores de tinta e calcular o índice de constância destas moscas na Reserva Biológica do Tinguá, Rio de Janeiro. Os dípteros foram coletados mensalmente na Reserva entre 2002 e 2005, totalizando 24 amostras. Quatro armadilhas contendo sardinha como isca foram pintadas com tinta nas cores verde (oliva), vermelho (sangue), preto e branco e foram expostas por 48h em quatro pontos equidistantes distanciadas 50 metros entre si. Para determinar a constância das espécies de califorídeos, o índice de constância Bodenheirmer foi utilizado. E para analisar as diferenças nas abundâncias totais entre as espécies e a seleção de cor por elas, foi utilizado um teste de análise de co-variância (ANCOVA) com nível de significância de 5 % e pós-teste Tukey, considerando as categorias espécies e cor como cofatores e as variáveis ambientais como co-variáveis já que as coletas foram ao longo de dois anos. Foram capturados 10.444 insetos. Destes, 56 % pertencentes à família Calliphoridae, em um total de 13 espécies, sendo as mais frequentes Laneela nigripes (28,5 %), Hemilucilia semidiaphana (17 %), e Mesembrinella sp. (16,4 %). As outras espécies coletadas tiveram frequência inferior a 12 %. Nove espécies de califorídeos foram consideradas constantes, duas acessórias e duas acidentais. Os dados indicaram que as espécies mais constantes apresentaram diferenças significativas nas suas abundâncias ao longo dos meses de captura, no entanto, o pós-teste Tukey indicou diferenças somente entre algumas. A armadilha preta apresentou a maior freqüência relativa (27,34 %), seguida pela verde (25 %), vermelha (24 %) e branca (23,7 %), embora a abundância das espécies entre as diferentes cores não tenha diferenciado entre si. Desta forma não houve preferência dos califorídeos por nenhuma das cores testadas.

The present study intended to analyze calliphorid attraction to traps painted in a variety of colors and the calliphorid constancy index in the Tingua Biological Reserve, Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil. The Diptera were collected monthly in the Reserve, between 2002 and 2005, totaling 24 samplings. Four traps containing sardines as bait were painted olive green, blood red, black, or white and exposed for 48 h at four equidistant points, 50 m from each other. To determine the calliphorid species constancy, the Bodenheirmer constancy index was used throughout the study. To analyze differences in the total abundance between species and in their color selection, an ANCOVA test with a significance level of 5 % and a Tukey post-test were used, considering the categories species and color as cofactors and climatic variables as co-variables (temperature, relative humidity and precipitation), since the samples were collected over two years. 10,444 insects were captured. Of these, 56 % belonged to the Calliphoridae family, totaling 13 species, with the most frequent species being Laneela nigripes (28.5 %), Hemilucilia semidiaphana (17 %), and Mesembrinella sp. (16.4 %). The other species had frequencies lower than 12 %. Nine species were considered constant, two accessories, and two accidental. The data indicated that the most frequent species presented significant differences between themselves concerning abundance over the captured months, however, the Tukey post-test indicated differences only between a few of them. The black trap presented the higher relative calliphorid frequency (27.34 %), followed by green (25 %), red (24.0 %), and white (23.7 %), although the species abundance in the different colored traps did not differ significantly among themselves. Therefore, there was no Calliphorid flies preference for any of the tested colors.

O presente trabalho objetivou determinar a flutuação populacional de califorídeos da Reserva Biológica do Tinguá (ReBio-Tinguá), Nova Iguaçu, RJ e correlacionar sua ocorrência com as variáveis ambientais de temperatura, precipitação e umidade relativa do ar. Os dípteros foram coletados mensalmente entre junho de 2002 e janeiro de 2005 utilizando quatro armadilhas instaladas em quatro pontos de uma trilha e expostas por 48 horas. Como atrativo utilizou-se sardinha e os insetos capturados foram conservados em álcool 70%. Foram coletados 8.528 califorídeos; entre estes, foram identificados treze espécies incluindo Laneela nigripes Guimarães 1977, Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius, 1794), C. albiceps (Wiedemann, 1819), C. putoria (Wiedemann, 1830), Chloroprocta idioidea (Robineau-Devoidy, 1830), Cochliomyia macellaria (Fabricius, 1775), Hemilucilia semidiaphana (Rondani, 1850), H. segmentaria (Fabricius, 1805), Lucilia eximia (Wiedemann,1819), L. cuprina (Wiedemann, 1830), Paralucilia pseudolyrcea (Mello, 1969), Mesembrinella sp. and Eumesembrinella pauciseta (Aldrich, 1922). Não foi encontrada correlação significativa entre a abundância dos califorídeos e a temperatura e umidade relativa do ar. Somente C. megacephala e C. albiceps apresentaram correlação positiva e significativa com a precipitação. A análise de agrupamento dos meses (UPGMA) mostrou que não houve diferença na composição da comunidade em relação à sazonalidade, indicando que a comunidade de califorídeos é provavelmente mais influenciada pelos nichos ecológicos ocupados por cada uma das espécies do que pelas estações do ano.

The purpose of this work was to determine the diversity and population fluctuations of calliphorid flies in the Biological Reserve of Tinguá (ReBio-Tinguá), Nova Iguaçu, state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and to correlate their occurrence with the environmental variables of temperature, rainfall and relative air humidity. Specimens of Diptera were collected monthly between June 2002 and January 2005 using four traps placed at four points along a trail and exposed for 48 hours. The traps were baited with sardines and the trapped insects were stored in 70% alcohol. It was collected 8,528 calliphorids, thirteen species were identified among the blowflies including Laneela nigripes Guimarães 1977, Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius, 1794), C. albiceps (Wiedemann, 1819), C. putoria (Wiedemann, 1830), Chloroprocta idioidea (Robineau-Devoidy, 1830), Cochliomyia macellaria (Fabricius, 1775), Hemilucilia semidiaphana (Rondani, 1850), H. segmentaria (Fabricius, 1805), Lucilia eximia (Wiedemann,1819), L. cuprina (Wiedemann, 1830), Paralucilia pseudolyrcea (Mello, 1969), Mesembrinella sp. and Eumesembrinella pauciseta (Aldrich, 1922). No significant correlation was found between the abundance of blowflies and the temperature and relative air humidity. Only C. megacephala and C. albiceps showed a positive and significant correlation with rainfall. An analysis of grouping by month (UPGMA) revealed no seasonal difference in the composition of the community, indicating that the community of calliphorid flies is probably more influenced by the ecological niches occupied by each species than by the seasons of the year.