The colonisation of remains by the muscid flies Muscina stabulans (Fallen) and Muscina prolapsa (Harris) (Diptera: Muscidae)
In the field, the muscid flies Muscina stabulans (Fallen) and Muscina prolapsa (Harris) only colonised buried baits in June, July and August. The two species co occurred on baits buried at 5cm but only M. prolapsa colonised baits buried at 10cm. Other species of insect were seldom recovered from buried baits regardless of the presence or absence of Muscina larvae. In the laboratory, both M. stabulans and M. prolapsa preferentially colonised liver baits on the soil surface compared to those buried at 5cm. Baits buried in dry soil were not colonised by either species whilst waterlogged soil severely reduced colonisation but did not prevent it entirely. Dry liver presented on the soil surface was colonised and supported growth to adulthood but if there was no surrounding medium in which the larvae could burrow then they died within 24h. M. stabulans showed a consistent preference for ovipositing on decaying liver rather than fresh liver, even when it had decayed for 41 days. The results for M. prolapsa were more variable but it was also capable of developing on both fresh and very decayed remains. Blood soaked soil and dead slugs and snails stimulated egg laying by both species and supported larval growth to adulthood. Mushrooms, melon, and bananas also stimulated egg laying although to a much lesser extent and very few larvae survived to adulthood. Horse faeces stimulated extensive egg laying but the larvae invariably died during the first or second instar and none survived to pupariation. This information could be useful when determining the forensic significance of Muscina larvae recovered from dead bodies.
Forensic science international