Muscina prolapsa (Harris 1780). So far an underestimated tool in forensic Entomology

Reference data for the growth of forensically important insects mainly focus on blowflies, which essentially ignores the relevance of other insect taxa. In the present study the biology and ecology of Muscina prolapsa (Diptera: Muscidae), the larvae of which are often found on buried bodies, were analyzed under constant and varying temperature conditions in the field as well as in the laboratory. The seasonal activity patterns and the temperature dependent development of the forensically relevant true fly M. prolapsa were analyzed to provide the basis for case relevant calculations of the post-mortem interval. Using baited traps the flying activity of M. prolapsa was studied over a period of 2 years. Rat cadavers were buried (approximately 10 cm deep). Samples were taken at 2-week intervals up to 42 days and the degree of larval infestation was determined. The development was studied in the laboratory at constant temperatures at 17 a"integral, 20 a"integral and 25 a"integral as well as under varying field conditions. M. prolapsa was on the wing from March to November. All buried carcasses were heavily infested by its larvae. With increasing temperature an accelerated development was observed. Pupation occurred between 8 and 12.6 days, hatching occurred 16.7 days after oviposition but lasted up to 30 days at the lowest temperature. For the overall period of development, the lower temperature threshold was 6.7 a"integral. The genus Muscina represents the dominant insect fauna on scantily buried cadavers and shows flying activity for most of the year. The development is temperature dependent and is, therefore, useful for calculate the post-mortem interval.