Prevalence of blowflies and their succession on carcasses in Morogoro, Tanzania

Abstract

A study was conducted to determine the prevalence of diptera, which lands on animal carcasses in Morogoro, Tanzania. Baits consisting of pig, chicken and tilapia fish carcasses were dissected to expose all visceral organs. The baits were examined for insect eggs, larvae, pupae and adults. Animal carcasses attracted Lucilia sericata predominantly, followed by L. cuprina, L. ampullacea, Sarcophaga haemorrhoidalis and Musca domestica. Adult blowfly activity was highest at midday and L. sericata was the most prevalent blowfly constituting 78.3% of adult flies landing on animal carcasses. It was followed by L. cuprina 6.5%, M. domestica 4.3%, L. ampullacea 3.4% and S. haemorrhoidalis 0.5%. A comparison of the animal carcasses show that pig was the most significant (p<0.05) attractive to L. sericata with 57.8% of the flies, followed by fish with 31.9% and chicken was the least attractive with only 10.3%. Fly eggs were observed on carcasses from the 8th to the 48th hour of exposure. Insect larvae were visible after 24 - 196 hours. Fly pupae were visible after the carcass had stayed for 100 to 196 hours. Findings from this study can be used to  determine the probable time and circumstances of death in various animals in Tanzania. There is a need for further research on blowflies which affect animals and humans.

Keywords: Diptera, Lucilia, postmortem interval.