Effect of seasonal variations on the life cycle of Lucilia cuprina (Wiedemann, 1830) (Diptera: Calliphoridae

Abstract

Australian sheep blowfly, Lucilia cuprina (Diptera: Calliphoridae) is a fly of medical and veterinary importance. It is known to be one of the first flies to occupy a corpse upon its death. Due to this, it has great importance in forensic field to find out post-mortem interval. Effect of seasonal variations on its life cycle duration and morphological parameters L. cuprina have been studied. Results shows that temperature and humidity affect the development and morphology of the maggots, in summer life cycle of the fly is completed in 218 hrs. (9.083 days), in rainy and winter season life cycle is completed in 301 hrs. (12.56 days) and 274 hrs. (11.41 days). The purpose of this study is to investigate seasonal and regional differences in carrion decomposition patterns and carrion blow fly communities from Osmanabd district (MH).