Useful morphological characters of 3rd larval stages of three species of Sarcophagidae family (Diptera, Insecta)

Abstract

Sarcophagidae family is important in medical and forensic entomology. Their morphological identification is difficult but it is possible by male genitalia. rnThe object of this study was to find some useful characters to distinguish larval stage III of some of Sarcophagidae flies. rnFlies sample were collected from central parts of Tehran. Female sample was placed in separated cup and transported to the laboratory for temporary rearing. Few of the 3rd instar larvae were preserved and the remained were continued to the end of cycle. rnAll adults were pinned after emerging. Male adults were used for species identification. The obtained larvae were compared with the other species of Sarcophagidae family.rnResults showed that there are some morphological differences among Sarcophaga argyrostoma, S. aegyptica and S. variegata. Results showed that the exact morphological variations between these species to compare them with collected samples. Therefore, it is suggested that such studies should be done for other species to provide applicable identification keys.