Developmental rate of Synthesiomyia nudiseta (van der Wulp, 1883) (Insecta, Diptera, Muscidae), a species of forensic importance, under alternating temperature

Abstract

Synthesiomyia nudiseta (van der Wulp, 1883) (Insecta, Diptera, Muscidae) is widely distributed in the Neotropical region. It may be associated with decomposing bodies due to its necrophagous habit, for this reason it gains importance in the forensic field. Temperature is one of the most important extrinsic factors in the life of insects because it directly affects their metabolism. In the literature only data on the development time of forensically important insects under controlled temperature are available. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the rate of development of S. nudiseta under alternating temperatures. The results obtained here may be useful for obtaining more accurate development models to estimate the time of death in criminal events.