1700 Journal of Medical Entomology, 57(6), 2020, 1700–1711 doi: 10.1093/jme/tjaa126 Advance Access Publication Date: 21 July 2020 Research © The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Entomological Society of America. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com. Direct Injury, Myiasis, Forensics Biological, Ecological, and Distributional Aspects of Two Native Species of Lucilia Genus (Diptera: Calliphoridae) of Forensic Interest in Yungas Environments of Argentina X. Acosta, 1,2,4, A. X. González-Reyes, 2 N. D. Centeno, 3 and J. A. Corronca 1,2 1 Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Instituto para el Estudio de la Biodiversidad de Invertebrados (IEBI), Universidad Nacional de Salta (UNSa), Avenida Bolivia 5150, Salta, Argentina. 2 Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina, and 3 Laboratorio de Entomología Aplicada y Forense, Universidad Nacional de Quilmes, Roque Sáenz Peña 352, Buenos Aires, Argentina, and 4 Corresponding author, e-mail: ximenacosta10@gmail.com Subject Editor: Christopher Geden Received 4 February 2020; Editorial decision 28 May 2020 Abstract This study determined the spatial and temporal dynamics of two native neotropical species fies of forensic interest, belonging to the Lucilia (Robineau-Desvoidy) genus. The study focused on their abundance and re- productive behaviors associated with different habitats and phenological parameters. In the Province of Salta, Argentina, monthly samplings were performed over 1 yr in urban, rural, and native habitats, at morning, mid- day, and afternoon periods, controlling the oviposition of captured specimens. Environmental variables were also assessed: cloudiness, precipitation, relative humidity, temperature, and tree cover. Lucilia purpurascens (Walker) appeared to be associated with native habitats, whereas Lucilia ochricornis (Wiedemann) was mainly associated with rural habitats, exhibiting distinct habitat preferences. Two ecotones were also identifed: rural– urban and rural–native, suggesting rural habitats promoted habitable conditions at its margins. Both species were recorded at the end of winter to the middle of autumn, with an initial peak in early spring, and a second peak at late summer. These peaks were associated with the highest numbers of laid eggs. Lucilia purpurascens preferred high tree coverings, whereas L. ochricornis resisted areas with intermediate sun, suggesting limited sun exposure was important. The latter was also associated with daily fight activities; during the warm season, the densest catches occurred at morning and afternoon periods, whereas during the cold season, they occurred at mid-day. Climatic variables explained 77% of variability in terms of abundance and oviposition. Synergistic effects were observed between these variables, suggesting that these variables conditioned insect distribution and reproduction, and not just temperature per se. Key words: blow flies, phenology, habitat preference, environmental variables. Resumen Aquí, se analiza la dinámica espacial y temporal de dos especies de moscas nativas neotropicales de interés forense del género Lucilia (Diptera: Calliphoridae) considerando sus abundancias y comportamiento reproductivo, asociados a diferentes hábitats y parámetros fenológicos. Muestreos mensuales se realizaron en la Provincia de Salta durante un año en los hábitats Urbano, Rural y Nativo, durante la mañana, mediodía y tarde, controlando la oviposición de los especímenes capturados. Se consideraron como variables ambientales a la nubosidad, precipitación, humedad relativa, temperatura y cobertura arbórea. Lucilia purpurascens se asoció al hábitat Nativo y L. ochricornis principalmente al Rural, mostrando preferencias hacia ellos. Se detectaron dos ecotonos: Rural–Urbano y Rural–Nativo, sugiriendo que los márgenes del hábitat rural promueven condiciones óptimas. Ambas especies se registraron desde fnales del invierno hasta mediados del otoño, con un primer pico en la primavera temprana y uno segundo en el verano tardío, asociado al mayor número de puestas. L. purpurascens prefrió altas coberturas arbóreas, mientras L. ochricornis resistió zonas con exposición solar intermedia, evidenciando que la protección a la exposición solar sería clave para su subsistencia. Ésto se asocia a la actividad de vuelo diaria, ya que en la temporada cálida las mayores capturas Downloaded from https://academic.oup.com/jme/article/57/6/1700/5874414 by guest on 17 November 2020