First Report of Human Myiasis Caused by Chrysomya megacephala and Chrysomya rufifacies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) in Thailand, and Its Implication in Forensic Entomology

Abstract

We report a forensic entomology case associated with human myiasis in Chiang Mai Province, northern Thailand. The remains of a 53-yr-old-male were concurrently infested with third instars of the two blow y species, Chrysomya megacephala (F.) and Chrysomya rufifacies (Macquart), near a severe tumor lesion presented on the lower right leg. The presence of third instars, 5 d old, on the day following postmortem indicated that myiasis occurred before death. This is the rst report of both y species acting as a myiasis-producing agent in Thailand. Unsynchronized data between the age of y larvae due to myiasis premortem and veried age/condition of the corpse suggest a potential complication and error in the estimation of postmortem interval if other predisposition y infestations are not considered.