Responses of Lucilia sericata Meigen (Diptera: Calliphoridae) to Cadaveric Volatile Organic Compounds

• NCJ Number: 240836
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 57 Issue: 2 Dated: March 2012 Pages: 386-390
• Author(s): Christine Frederickx, M.Sc.; Jessica Dekeirsschieter, M.Sc.; Francis J. Verheggen, Ph.D.; Eric Haubruge, Ph.D.
• Date Published: March 2012
• Length: 5 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Flies of the Calliphoridae Family are the most forensically important insects because of their abundance on the decedent during the first minutes following death.

Abstract

Flies of the Calliphoridae Family are the most forensically important insects because of their abundance on the decedent during the first minutes following death. Necrophagous insects are attracted at a distance by a decomposing body, through the use of volatile chemical cues. The authors tested the possible attractive role of some volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) released by decaying cadavers, on male and female of Lucilia sericata Meigen (Diptera: Calliphoridae). Two complementary approaches were used. Electroantennography (EAG) allowed identifying the semiochemicals that are detected by the olfactory system of L. sericata. Dose-response tests with EAG showed that dimethyl disulfide (DMDS) and butan-1-ol elicited the highest responses. Behavioral assays showed that, among the VOCs tested, DMDS and butan-1-ol are attractive for L. sericata, while the other VOCs are repulsive or do not cause any behavior. The results may have potential implications in a better understanding of attractiveness of blowflies toward a corpse. Abstract published by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons.