A New Record for the Turkish Blow Fly Fauna Pollenia rudis (Fabricius, 1794) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) Osman SERT 2 , Cenk ONSOY 1 , Furkan Halil AKAY 1 , Ferhat ALTUNSOY 1 1 Anadolu University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Eskişehir/ TURKEY 2 Hacettepe University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Ankara/ TURKEY ferhataltuns@anadolu.edu.tr Diptera are one of the three largest and most diverse animal groups in the world comprised of over 160,000 named species in about 150 families [9]. The Calliphoridae is a large and cosmopolitan family of Diptera that belong to the Calyptrata family group. Calliphoridae contains over 1000 described species [8], of which about 115 are present in Europe [3]. Members of the genus Pollenia are commonly referred to as cluster flies. Taxonomy of some species groups and their life history are well documented [5], [11]. They are Calliphorids that have very diverse habits, especially the larvae. While the adults generally visit flowers, faeces and carrion, there are species whose larvae feed on dead animals, faeces or other decaying organic matter. Larvae usually infest living vertebrate animals [6], [12]. These maggots quickly invade the areas of the corpse and grow in size and weight [7]. Information about the size, weight and age of blowfly larvae and adults on a corpse can be used to identify the time, and sometimes place, of death. In this study, specimens of P. rudis were collected on different days of pig decomposition during a forensic entomology research in Eskişehir . The 28 female specimens were collected in July, August, September and October from 3 different pigs’ bloat and active decaying stages. INTRODUCTION Pollenia rudis (Fabricius, 1794) The first sampling process occurred on bloat and early active decaying stage of forensic research at decomposition field, the adult samples were collected by nets within 30 cm diameter and preserved in ethyl acetate jars. The nets was used three times each day for collecting Diptera samples. The study was conducted in oak forest on N 39°56’07.12’’, E 30°29’34.11’’, Eskisehir / near the Tekeciler village. The specimens were collected between 22 June 2012- 26 October 2012. The species were identificated by literatures and keys [1], [4], [10]. The taxonomical characteristics were shooted and presented by Leica microscope MZ12.5 donated with DFC 480 camera. MATERIAL and METHODS Totally 28 specimens, belonging to the Polleninae subfamily, was determined as a new record; Pollenia rudis (Fabricius, 1794). Family: Calliphoridae Subfamily: Polleninae Genus: Pollenia Robineau-Desvoidy 1830 Pollenia rudis (Fabricius, 1794) Material examined: 22.06.2012, 25.06.2012, 01.07.2012, 17.07.2012, 18.07.2012, 19.07.2012, 13.08.2012, 11.09.2012, 21.09.2012, 14.10.2012, 15.10.2012, 17.10.2012, 18.10.2012, 20.10.2012, 26.10.2012, Eskişehir (Tekeciler), 1143 m, 39°56’07.12’’N, 30°29’34.11’’E, 28♀. The taxonomical characters were described by photos within the quotes of identification keys; RESULTS Underside of wing without tuft of pale setulae at intersection of subcosta and humeral crossvein. Presutural area with only 1 anterior intra-alar seta. Thorax without mid-dorsal stripe. Lappets of posterior thoracic spiracle (anterior to halter) tan, yellow, or orange in colour. Basicosta brown, light brown or tan. Mid-tibia with 2-3 anterodorsal setae. Mid- and hind femur with only dark brown or black setulae on posteroventral surface. Comparing with the other Pterygot orders in Turkey, Diptera is the fourth richest order in Turkey after Lepidoptera, Coleoptera and Hymenoptera, according to the total number of the species. Unfortunately, there are still many undiscovered new species to the science, and unrecorded species to the fauna of Turkey. Potential of the dipteran fauna of Turkey may be estimated more than 10,000 species [2]. The preference of Calliphorids for a fresh corpse makes them a high priority at crime scenes whenever they are encountered [7]. Blow flies are the first organisms to arrive on a dead body. Their offspring can give a good estimate of the time a body has been exposed to insects. We expect that P. rudis also have great forensic importance due to the specimens were collected in early stages of decomposition. The lifecircle of P. rudis must be studied more to bring into the light their importance. In this study, P. rudis was reported as new record for Turkish Calliphoridae fauna. The variety of lifestyle, diverse habits, feeding on several foods show us the way to conclude that the actual diversity of this family in Turkey can higher than currently known. In the future, we expect that more new Turkish cluster fly records will be found for this family. DISCUSSION [1] Jewiss-Gaines, A., Marshall, S.A., Whitworth, T.L., 2012. Cluster Flies (Calliphoridae: Polleniinae: Pollenia ) of North America. Canadian Journal of Arthropod Identification, 19. [2] Koçak, A.Ö., Kemal, M., 2013. Diptera of Turkey (Present situation of the Diptera of Turkey), p. 5. [3] Oosterbroek, Pjotr., 2006. The European Families of the Diptera KNNY Publishing [4] Rognes, K. 1987. The taxonomy of the Pollenia rudis species-group in the Holarctic region (Diptera: Calliphoridae). Systematic Entomology, 12: 475-502. [5] Rognes, K., 1991. Revision of the cluster flies of the Pollenia viatica species-group (Diptera: Calliphoridae). Systematic Entomology, 16,4: 439-498. [6] Rognes, K., 1998. Manual of Palaearctic Diptera. Family Calliphoridae. Science Herald, Budapest, 3: 617- 648. [7] Sharma, R., Garg, R.K. & Gaur, J.R., 2013. Contribution of various measures for estimation of post mortem interval from Calliphoridae: A review. Egyptian Journal of Forensic Sciences. [8] Smith, K.G.V., 1986. A Manual of Forensic Entomology. The Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History), London. p. 205. [9] Ssymank, A., Kearns, C.A., Pape, T. and Thompson, F.C. 2008. Pollinating flies (Diptera): a major contribution to plant diversity and agricultural production. Biodiversity, 9(1-2): 86-89. [10] Szpila, K. (2010), Key for the Identification of Third Instars of European Blowflies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) of Forensic Importance. Concepts in Forensic Entomology, p. 43-57. [11] Thomas, A.J. & Davies D.M., 1973. The biology of Pollenia rudis, the cluster fly (Diptera: Calliphoridae). The Canadian Entomologist, 105: 335-341. [12] Zumpt, F., 1965. Myiasis in man and animals in the old world. Butterworths, London, p. 267. REFERENCES View publication stats View publication stats