Veterinary and forensic entomology: the association of blow flies and flesh flies with living and dead vertebrate tissues

Abstract

The 21 papers presented in this thesis are representative of the candidate’s research output over a 27-year period in the field s of veterinary and forensic entomology and include some of his most significant contributions from >150 post-doctoral peer-reviewed publications. They include scholarly, synoptic reviews and novel experimental research in a wide variety of areas, ranging from taxonomy and systematics to ecology, physiolog y, behaviour and control techniques and show how these areas impact and interact with the overarching theme of the thesis, the association of blow flies and flesh flies with living and dead vertebrate tissues. Studies of flies on living vertebrate tissues are linked to the disease condition known as myiasis, in the field of veterinary entomology, while studies of flies on dead tissues relate to the field of forensic entomology, the interpretation of insect evidence in legal investigations. The work presented in the thesis has helped to significantly advance veterinary and forensic entomology by:- • Providing the necessary knowledge base for the advancement of research on myiasis, especially traumatic myiasis a hitherto neglected tropical disease, and the most important obligate myiasis -causing species, thereby improving our ability to respond to future range expansions of these economically important pests in a timely manner. • Improving techniques for trapping myiasis-causing flies for monitoring and control. • Improving techniques for prophylactic treatment of sheep/goat flocks against agents of traumatic myiasis. • Improving our understanding of the genetic make-up of geographically dispersed populations of the two most important agents of traumatic myiasis in the Old World, Chrysomya bezziana and Wohlfahrtia magnifica. • Providing protocols and raising standards for the application of forensic entomology. • Improving methods for collection, preservation, identification and aging of fly samples in forensic entomology. • Introducing the use of micro-computed tomography techniques to provide novel qualitative and quantitative information on the intra- puparial development of blow flies for use in forensic entomology and studies of metamorphosis. The candidate has developed w orld-class expertise in myiasis and forensic entomology and the application of both fields to matters of societal importance, pest control and the judicial system. The impact of the published works is demonstrated by:- • The significant and increasing citation levels over the period considered. • The stimulation of studies by other researchers globally in the two fields. • The inclusion of the knowledge and techniques into standard international protocols and manuals on myiasis and forensic entomology. The paper s presented here in support of this submission to the Doctor of Science Degree provide evidence of a sustained and significant contribution by the candidate to the fields of veterinary and forensic entomology, with impact at an international level.