A synopsis on Cochliomyia macellaria,

Phormia regina, and Pollenia rudis

- See more at: http://www.customwritingservice.org/blog/a-synopsis-on-cochliomyia-macellariaphormia-regina-and-pollenia-rudis/

Cochliomyia macellaria

Cochliomyia macellaria
Cochliomyia macellaria (Diptera: Calliphoridae), also known as secondary screwworm is an
insect with a body that is usually metallic blue and in variable size with the pupa ranging from 5
to 8 mm while a mature maggot elongates to approximately 17 mm in length (Adam JewissGaines 2). The screwworm thrives well in the entire region of the US and its tropics, specifically,
in Southeastern US where they are in existence throughout the year. In Canada, they are also
seen during summer (Koller and Correa 35). Usually, the insect undergoes complete
metamorphosis (egg, larva, pupa and adult). The process of female group ovipositor results in
large loose masses of laid eggs approximated at1mm in length.

Depending on temperature, these eggs hatch into larva within 24 hours. Majorly, the larva feeds
on carrion until they reach maturity which takes 4 days (Heng-Moss 1279). Once they reach
maturity, they search for an ideal location for pupation which includes topsoil, dead fallen leaves
and rocks. The stage of larvae lasts for 7 to 10 days where they harden and form puparian. To
complete its life into mature adulthood, the species us entirely dependent on carrion,
decomposing carcass and rotten meat as such, and proper management of garbage needs to be

carried out in order to reduce the possibility of insect occurrence in a given location. This
reduced the annoyance and contamination risk of disease (Whiteworth 35).
The medical field, specifically, veterinary sector views the insect as important because of the
economic loss it inflicts on animals through disease transmission and mysiasis and it is also used
in forensic investigations to investigate post-mortem cases as it has specified duration of
colonization to decomposition. This is due to the fact adults are attracted at stipulated times in
any given occurrence of death (Whiteworth 690).

Phormia regina

Phormia regina
This is commonly known as black flow fly and is a member of the diptera order. The insect has
white calypteres, black gana and orange yellow anterior thoracic spiracles. Other features which
are distinct include vestigial halteres and fore wings. The halters helps in maneuverability and
stability during flight operation, they also have wings that turn into calypter for flying the makes
posse neurodoctrine systems controlling mating behavior. The black flow, has historically been
depicted as secondary myiasis producer in sheep striking zones of south western and south
eastern U.S.A. where castration and dehorning operations are often carried out (Allen (80).

Similar to other insects that fall in this species, the life cycle is a complete metamorphosis.
Females oviposit their eggs in large masses into nutrient substrate and once they hatch the larva
continued to feed till they get enough calories to move to the next stage, the pupa. Finally, the
pupa after thirteen days moulds into adult. During the stages of sexual development, diets are
comprised of proteins like beef liver and dung which are the major component of their food
intake. They ingest this by using their photolytic enzymes and mouth hooks which are used for
chemical breakdown (Heng-Moss 1279).

Like most other flies, Phormia regina will feed through use of sponging. They use this while
feeding on different kinds of food stuffs like liquid products of nectar, honeydew and
decomposition. The insect is poikilotherm and growth is completely dependent on temperature
which makes its body temperature vary relatively in respect to nocturnal and diurnal
temperatures (Fletcher and Haub 103).
Entomologists use the insect in medicriminal entomology to help with post mortem
investigations. The duration of carrion colonization is used to analyze the window time of
incidence occurrence since blowflies are the first to invade dead bodies immediately after death
(Cammack). Phormia regina, medically is economically important throughout maggot therapy.
This is a form of biotherapy that introduces a maggot that is disinfected intentionally through
maggot soft human tissue wound in order to promote the process of healing. This practice is not
just limited to humans but it also extends to livestock. For example, in dairy cattle, maggot
therapy can be used to treat milk that is contaminated with antibiotics while in horses, it is used
for purposes of eliminating equine wounds (Bennett 1).

Pollenia rudis (Cluster flies)

Pollenia rudis female

Ontario biology reveals these are the 6th members of the genus pollenia group. Usually, the insect
differs in spiracle, thoracic coloring and basicosta as such, it is usually identified by other
distinct characteristics. The flies are also well known by their habits to cluster the walls and enter
into homes during winter (Byers 2345). In color, they are dull with crinkly, yellow thoracic hairs
(Porter 14). During warmer seasons, they become a major nuisance to homeowners though they
neither contaminate nor invade homes. These insects are common in Europe, eastern Canada and
North America (Bennet 2).
This species of cluster flies usually has a life cycle that is varied. For instance in Europe, it takes
an approximate 10 to 20 days for the eggs to develop to adults while in North America, it takes
an approximate 27 to 39 days. Majorly, the larva feeds on earthworm species, where they
develop to pupa while the adult p. rudis is herbivores on organic matter like sap, fruits and
flowers (Vincas Buda 270). Because of their clustering ability, they lead to secondary

infestations of beetles, carpet and rodents as such, they are a nuisance. In order to effectively
control them, the hearthworm host is supposed to be eliminated from sites of infestation
(Dawkins 3).
Cochliomyia
macellaria

Phormia regina

Pollenia rudis

Distinct markings

Metallic blue

Black gana, orange

yellow anterior
thoracic spiracles and
white calypteres

Dull in color with

yellow crinkly thoracic
hairs

Metamorphosis
development time

4 daysAt standard
temperature

10-20 days in Europe

27-39 days In North
13 daysAt poikilotherm
America at standard
temperature

Metamorphosis
development time

4 daysAt standard
temperature

10-20 days in Europe

27-39 days In North
13 daysAt poikilotherm
America at standard
temperature

Approximate
geographical range

Present in US.A and

Canada only during
summerPresent in
Southeastern United
States throughout the
year

Only in sheep striking

Abundant in North
zones of South eastern
America, Europe, and
and South western
eastern Canada
U.S.A.

Poikilotherm hence
Maggot, 5-8mm while
size
growth depends on
Unknown
mature is 17mm
temperature
Carrion, rotten meat
Herbivores on the
Proteins such as dung
Food source (s)
and decomposing
organic matter such as
and beef liver
carcasses.
flowers, fruits and sap
Rocks, topsoil or fallen Overwintering inside of Clustering the home
Development threshold
limbs
attics or lofts.
walls
poikilotherm hence
available during the
Abundant season
Summer seasons
Winter seasons
autumn and winter
months
Complete
Complete
Complete
Life cycle
metamorphosis
metamorphosis
metamorphosis
Causes mysiasis and
Aids in post mortem
Economic importance diseases on man and
investigations and
Nuisance at home
animals
medical intervention in

human and animals

such as cattle and
horses

Works Cited
Adam Jewiss-Gaines, Stephen A. Marsha, and Terry L. Whitworth. Canadian Journal of
Arthropod Identi. Cluster Flies (Calliphoridae: Polleniinae: Pollenae: Pollenia) of North
America (2012): 1-20.
Allen, Jason H. Byrd and John C. The Development of the black blow fly, Phormia regina (
Meigen). Gainesville: Department of Criminal Justice, University of Florida, 2001.
Bennett, Ralph E. Williams and Gary W. Household & Structural: Fly Control Aruiond the
Home. Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service , 2010.
Byers, John A. Attraction of Bark Beetles, Tomicus Piniperda, Hylurgops palliantus and
Trypodendron domesticum and other Insects to Short Chain Alcholhols and Monoterpenes.
Journal of Chemical Encology (1992): 2386-3045.
Cammack, Jonathan Allan. Advancing Forensic Entomology in Indoor Environment: A
comprehensive Study From Coloniation to Dispersal. n.d.
Dawkins, Larry Durant and Stan. Managing Flies in and Around Urban Structures. n.d.
Fletcher, Fred Walker and James G. Haub. Digestion in Blowfly Larvae, Phormia Regina
Meigen, Used in the Treatment of Osternyelitis. Ohio Journal of Science (1933): 101-109.
Heng-Moss, Nabit P. Leon G. Highley and Tiifany M. Effects of Temperature on Development
of Phormia regina (Diptera: Calliphoridae) and use of Development Data in Determining Time
intervals in Forenscic Entomology. Lincolin: University of Nebraska, 2006.
Jeffrey K. Tomberlin, Will K. Revees and Grage Sherphared. First Record of Chrysomya
megacephala ( Diptera: Celliphoridaae) In georiga, U.S.A. Tifton: Depertment of Entomology,
University of Geog@iia, 2001.
Koller, Wilson Werner and Antonio Thadeu Medeiros de Barros and Elaine Cristina Corra.
Abundance and seasonality of. Bras. Parasitol. Vet., Jaboticabal,, 2011.
Porter, MIchael F. Cluster Flies, Face flies and Blow flies in Homes. University of Kentuckey,
2010.

Vincas Buda, Sandra Radiute and Erikas Lutovinovas. Attractant for Vinegar Fly,Drosophila
busckii, and Cluster Fly, Pollenia rudis (Diptera: Drosophilidae et Calliphoridae). Luthuania :
Institute of Ecology, Vilnius University, Akademijos 2, 2009.
Whiteworth, Terry. Keys to the genera and species of blow flies ( Diptera: Calliphoridae) of the
West inndies and Description of New species of Lucilia Robine au- Desvoidy. Magnolia, 2010.
Whitworth, Terry. Keys to the genera and species of blow flies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) of
America north of Mexico. 2006.
- See more at: http://www.customwritingservice.org/blog/a-synopsis-on-cochliomyia-macellariaphormia-regina-and-pollenia-rudis/