Description of immature stages of three species of Fannia (Diptera: Fanniidae) of medical, veterinary and forensic importance

Abstract

Insects belong to Diptera Order gain importance in the medical and veterinary fields when cause myiasis and/or transmit a wide range of pathogens. Also, due to be among the first organisms to colonize a carcass, may have relevance in the forensics. Regarding to the last aspect, some of the contributions that the knowledge of insects can bring are associated with the estimation of postmortem interval, to assess whether there was displacement of a corpse where death occurred or to infer mode or cause of death, among others. In any of these cases, the identification of insects involved is crucial and, for certain groups, there is a large gap in the description of the immature stages and no available taxonomic key. Fanniidae (Diptera: Muscomorpha) has wide distribution and well diversified eating habits, among which is the necrophagy. Some species are synanthropic and can be found in both urban and rural environment. The 320 species known for the Neotropical region are included in two genus: Euryomma and Fannia. Fanids constitute a large family and poorly studied, in particular, their immature forms which are commonly found associated with the later stages of corpses decomposition. Thus, the present study aims to record the bionomics study and describe the immature stages of three species of the genus Fannia (Fannia pusio, Fannia sabroskyi and Fannia femoralis) of medical, veterinary and forensic relevance. Adults will be collected at field and kept in the laboratory to obtain immatures and the bionomic data. Detailed descriptions of each stage for each species, from examination by light microscopy and scanning eletronic microscopy, will be presented with photographic records.