Effects of prophylactic progesterone in decomposing tissues on the development of Chrysomya chloropyga (Wiedeman) (Diptera: Calliphoridae)

Abstract

[from introduction] Medico-legal forensic entomology is often concerned with the estimation of postmortem intervals (PMI), the time elapsed since the death of a body, by estimating the age of maggots if they are found on a body. These estimates can be complicated by the presence of a variety of drugs that may be present in dead bodies, including steroids such as hydrocortisone (Musvasva et al. 2001), stimulants like cocaine (Introna, 2001), and barbiturates such as sodium methohexital (Musvasva et al. 2001). In this context, Goff et al. (1991) emphasized the need for studies of the effects of more such drugs and more species of carrion flies. Prophylactic progesterones are commonly used as a means of birth control, and may be present in the corpses of women who have been taking them. Since progesterones are steroids, and since some steroids can affect larval development rates (Musvasva et al., 2001), the presence of these contraceptives might complicate estimations of PMI in women, especially since a significant proportion use them. It is therefore important to establish the effects, if any, that these drugs have on the rate of development of carrion flies. This would include determining if there are differences in the effects of these drugs at different stages of the insects’ life cycle, and whether the eclosing adults are fertile.