Phormia regina (Meigen, 1826; Diptera: Calliphoridae) is a Holarctic species that rapidly colonizes carcasses and has been used as an indicator for determining the minimum postmortem interval. However, studies using morphological methods to estimate the intrapuparial age of P. regina are lacking. In this study, morphological changes within the puparium were observed under a stereomicroscope at 7 constant temperatures ranging from 16 °C to 34 °C.The intrapuparial period was categorized into 12 substages. Morphological indicators, including compound eyes, mouthparts, antennae, thorax, legs, wings, and abdomen, were recorded in detail. The observed morphological changes were divided into 6–10 substages, and the duration of each substage was also recorded in detail.The results of this study provide primary data for using the intrapuparial morphology of P. regina when pupae are collected at a crime scene and estimating the minimum postmortem interval.
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23 September 2024
Development and age estimation of the intrapuparial period of Phormia regina (Diptera: Calliphoridae) for postmortem interval estimation
Ruonan Zhang,
Yinghui Wang,
Na Chen,
Liangliang Li,
Yi Guo,
Gengwang Hu,
Yundi Gao,
Shipeng Shao,
Zhiya Gu,
Jiangfeng Wang,
Yu Wang
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Journal of Medical Entomology
Vol. 62 • No. 1
January 2025
Vol. 62 • No. 1
January 2025
forensic entomology
morphology
Phormia regina
postmortem interval
pupae