The effect of antifreeze (ethylene glycol) on the survival and the life cycle of two species of necrophagous blowflies (Diptera: Calliphoridae). Issue 2 (March 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Essarras, Abrar; Pazzi, Marco; Dadour, Ian R.; Magni, Paola A.
• Is Part Of: Science & justice. Volume 58:Issue 2(2018)
• Page Start: 85
• Page End: 89
• Publication Date: 2018-03
• Subjects: Ethylene glycol -- Entomotoxicology -- Lucilia sericata -- Lucilia cuprina; Forensic sciences -- Periodicals; Criminal investigation -- Periodicals; Forensic Medicine -- Periodicals; Jurisprudence -- Periodicals; Criminalistique -- Périodiques; Enquêtes criminelles -- Périodiques; Criminal investigation; Forensic sciences; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 363.2505
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scijus.2017.12.008
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1355-0306

Abstract

Abstract: Entomotoxicology involves the analysis of the presence and the effects of toxicological substances in necrophagous insects. Results obtained by entomotoxicological studies may assist in the investigation of both the causes and the time of death of humans and animals. Ethylene glycol (EG) is easy to purchase, sweet and extremely toxic. It may be consumed accidentally or purposefully, in an attempt to cause death for suicidal or homicidal intent. Several cases report fatalities of humans and animals. The present study is the first to examine the effects of EG on the survival, developmental rate and morphology of two blowfly species, (Diptera: Calliphoridae) typically found on corpses and carcasses: Lucilia sericata (Meigen) and L. cuprina (Wiedemann). Both species were reared on substrates (beef liver) spiked with three different concentrations of EG that could cause death in either a human or cat: 1/2LD50 (T1), LD50 (T2), 2LD50 (T3), in addition to a control treatment (C) with no EG. Results of this research show that: a) both species are unable to survive if reared on a food substrate spiked with the highest concentration of EG (T3), while lower and medium concentrations (T1, T2) affect, but not prevent, the survival and the completion of the life cycle of such species; b) adults of L. sericata eclose only in C and T1, while adults of L. cuprina in both C, T1, T2; however, c) the developmental time of both species reared in T1 and T2 is statistically slower than the control; d) the body length of the immatures of both of the species reared in T1 and T2 is statistically smaller than the control. Highlights: Entomotoxicology considers the effects of toxicological substances in insects. Ethylene glycol is easy to purchase, sweet and extremely toxic. Several cases report fatalities of humans and animals caused by ethylene glycol. Ethylene glycol affects the survival and growth rate of carrion blowflies. Ethylene glycol affects the morphology of carrion blowflies.