Frederickx Christine, Dekeirsschieter Jessica, Verheggen Francois J, Haubruge Eric
Department of Functional and Evolutionary Entomology, University of Liege, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, Gembloux, Belgium.
J Forensic Sci. 2012 Mar;57(2):386-90. doi: 10.1111/j.1556-4029.2011.02010.x. Epub 2011 Dec 8.
Flies of the Calliphoridae Family are the most forensically important insects because of their abundance on the decedent during the first minutes following death. Necrophagous insects are attracted at a distance by a decomposing body, through the use of volatile chemical cues. We tested the possible attractive role of some volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) released by decaying cadavers, on male and female of Lucilia sericata Meigen (Diptera: Calliphoridae). Two complementary approaches were used. Electroantennography (EAG) allowed identifying the semiochemicals that are detected by the olfactory system of L. sericata. Dose-response tests with EAG showed that dimethyl disulfide (DMDS) and butan-1-ol elicited the highest responses. Behavioral assays showed that, among the VOCs tested, DMDS and butan-1-ol are attractive for L. sericata, while the other VOCs are repulsive or do not cause any behavior. Our results may have potential implications in a better understanding of attractiveness of blowflies toward a corpse.
丽蝇科的苍蝇是法医学上最重要的昆虫，因为在死亡后的最初几分钟内，它们大量出现在尸体上。尸食性昆虫通过利用挥发性化学信号，在一定距离外被腐烂的尸体所吸引。我们测试了腐烂尸体释放的一些挥发性有机化合物（VOCs）对丝光绿蝇（双翅目：丽蝇科）雌雄个体的潜在吸引作用。采用了两种互补的方法。触角电位图（EAG）可以识别丝光绿蝇嗅觉系统检测到的信息素。EAG剂量反应测试表明，二甲基二硫（DMDS）和丁醇-1引发的反应最强。行为分析表明，在所测试的挥发性有机化合物中，DMDS和丁醇-1对丝光绿蝇有吸引力，而其他挥发性有机化合物具有排斥性或不会引起任何行为。我们的结果可能对更好地理解绿头苍蝇对尸体的吸引力具有潜在意义。
