Wound Myiasis Caused bySarcophaga (Liopygia) Argyrostoma(Robineau-Desvoidy) (Diptera: Sarcophagidae): Additional Evidences of the Morphological Identification Dilemma and Molecular Investigation

Abstract

In Mediterranean countries,Sarcophaga (Liopygia) crassipalpis,Sarcophaga (L.) argyrostoma,andSarcophaga (L.) cultellatashare the same ecological niche and can be responsible of myiasis. In this study, the main morphological characters of a larva found in a hospitalized woman were described and illustrated by light and SEM microscopy and the features discussed. Then, a fragment within the mitochondrial encoded cytochrome c oxidase subunit I(coxI)gene of ~735 bp was amplified and sequenced. The molecular investigation was necessary to confirm the speciesSarcophaga (Liopygia) argyrostoma(99% of identity). Our findings showed that morphological descriptions of larvae of three Mediterranean species ofLiopygiaavailable in several papers might not be clear enough to allow for comparison and correct identification. Until results of reliable comparative studies of larvae of all three species will be available, the use of molecular tools is crucial, to avoid misleading or incomplete identification, and in particular when a myiasis becomes a legal issue.