New record of Chrysomya rufifacies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) in Canada: predicted range expansion and potential effects on native species

Abstract

AbstractThis is the first report of the hairy maggot blow fly, Chrysomya rufifacies (Macquart), in Canada since its arrival in the continental United States of America in 1982. Specimens were collected from one swine (Sus scrofa L.) carcass in fall 2004 and again from six swine carcasses at three rural sites within the Windsor/Essex County region of southwestern Ontario in fall 2005. Based upon the biological characteristics of the species and the absence of specimens from spring and summer carrion-insect collections, it is suggested that C. rufifacies is present in southwestern Ontario during the fall season, after range expansion from the midcontinental United States of America during the spring and summer months. However, considering the projected increases in temperature due to global warming, establishment of C. rufifacies is predicted to extend well into southern Ontario and Quebec. Current and predicted distributions based upon the biological temperature requirements of C. rufifacies are depicted through geographic range maps. The potential economic and ecological impacts are discussed, with emphasis upon negative interactions between C. rufifacies and several native blow fly species, particularly Cochliomyia macellaria (Fabr.).