Study of Flies Recovered from Decomposing Whole and Parts of Animals in Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria

Abstract

Flies associated with carcasses of different decomposing whole and parts of animals were studied in an open fallow plot of land in Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State. The animals parts including Flesh of pork (meat), Flesh of cattle (beef), Liver of goat, Liver of cow, Blood of goat, Blood of cow, whole Ice fish and whole Fresh fish were exposed to flies in plastic plates. It took about nine days to become completely decomposed. The study recorded a total of 1,042 individual flies which were collected using sweep net and water traps. The immature ones were collected with either Art’s brush or with blunt forceps. Nine fly families were identified including Calliphoridae, Diopsidae, Dolichopodidae, Ephydridae, Muscidae, Sarcophagidae, Sepsidae, Sciomyzidae and Tachinidae. The species of these families include Chrysomya albiceps Weid., Chrysomya chloropyga Weid., Chrysomya regalis Rob-Desv., Diopsis apicalis Dalm, Chrysosoma tenuipenna Curran, Discomyza sp., Musca domestica linn .. Sacrophaga bercaea Rob-Desv, Sepsis sp., Sepedomyia sp., Aplomya sp. and Thelairosoma sp. The mean temperature and relative humidity of the site during the study were 28.3 ± O. 14°C and 80 ± 0.22 % respectively. Fly species documented as flies of forensic importance in this study were discussed while their ecological implications in relation to their diversity and equitability on the carcasses were also highlighted.