Levantamento de dípteros de importância forense na Floresta Nacional de Açu

Abstract

Flies belong to the order Diptera, and the families Calliphoridae, Sarcophagidae, and Muscidae stand out for their medical and forensic importance. These insects are significant pollinators, decomposers, and controllers of other insect populations, but they are also vectors of pathogens that cause diseases in humans and animals. In Forensic Entomology, fly species help estimate the post mortem interval in criminal investigations. In the Caatinga biome, these dipteran families are common and adapted to extreme conditions, playing important roles in organic matter decomposition. Thus, this study aimed to perform a data survey of forensic important dipteran present in the National Forest of Açu. For fly collection, Pet bottle traps were used, suspended 1.5 meters above the ground, containing bait of mango and chicken gizzards, which had been decomposed for 24 hours. At FLONA, the traps were positioned in 10 pairs, with each trap in a pair containing one type of bait and separated by 20 meters, and the distance between each pair was 100 meters. A photographic catalog of the collected species was prepared, including information on their biology, ecology, and medical and forensic importance, to be made available to the managers of the FLONA de Açu and to the public at large. A total of 535 flies were captured, predominantly of the species Chrysomya megacephala (n=269) from the family Calliphoridae, and specimens from the family Sarcophagidae (n=144), all attracted by the decayed chicken gizzard bait. No flies were captured with the mango bait. The collection and identification of dipterans in the region revealed species of medical and forensic importance, and the decayed chicken gizzard bait was more effective in attracting these insects compared to the mango bait. Continued research is needed to address the knowledge gap, impacting public health and criminal investigations. The data of this project indicate the need for further studies to better understand local biodiversity, as well as support academic and forensic activities.