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Nocturnal Oviposition Behavior of Forensically Important Diptera in Central England |
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| Authors: | Kate M Barnes PhD Karon A Grace BSc Mark T Bulling PhD |
| Institution: | 1. Department of Natural Sciences, University of Derby, Kedleston Road, Derby, DE22 1HE U.K
Additional information and reprint requests: Kate Barnes, Ph.D. Department of Forensic Science College of Life and Natural Sciences University of Derby Kedleston Road Derby DE22 1GB E-mail: k.barnes1@derby.ac.uk;2. Department of Natural Sciences, University of Derby, Kedleston Road, Derby, DE22 1HE U.K |
| Abstract: | Timing of oviposition on a corpse is a key factor in entomologically based minimum postmortem interval (mPMI) calculations. However, there is considerable variation in nocturnal oviposition behavior of blow flies reported in the research literature. This study investigated nocturnal oviposition in central England for the first time, over 25 trials from 2011 to 2013. Liver-baited traps were placed in an urban location during control (diurnal), and nocturnal periods and environmental conditions were recorded during each 5-h trial. No nocturnal activity or oviposition was observed during the course of the study indicating that nocturnal oviposition is highly unlikely in central England. |
| Keywords: | forensic science forensic entomology nocturnal activity Calliphoridae minimum postmortem interval England |