# Muscina > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Muscina > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Muscina.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muscina > Source revision: 1293517560 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{short description|Genus of flies}} {{Automatic taxobox | image = Fly August 2008-3.jpg | image_caption = Adult ''[Muscina stabulans](/source/Muscina_stabulans)'' | display_parents = 2 | taxon = Muscina | authority = [Robineau-Desvoidy](/source/Jean-Baptiste_Robineau-Desvoidy), 1830{{cite journal |last1=Robineau-Desvoidy |first1=André Jean Baptiste |title=Essai sur les myodaires |journal=Mémoires presentés à l'Institut des Sciences, Lettres et Arts, par divers savants et lus dans ses assemblées: Sciences, Mathématiques et Physique |date=1830 |volume=2 |issue=2 |pages=1–813 |url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/3472165#page/9/mode/1up |access-date=15 July 2018}} | type_species = ''[M. stabulans](/source/Muscina_stabulans)'' | type_species_authority = [Fallén](/source/Carl_Fredrik_Fall%C3%A9n), 1817{{cite journal | last = Coquillett | first = D.W. | year = 1901 | title = Types of anthomyid genera | journal = Journal of the New York Entomological Society | volume = 9 | issue = 3 | pages = 134–146 | author-link = Daniel William Coquillett | jstor = 25002949 }} }} '''''Muscina''''' is a genus of flies that belongs to the family [Muscidae](/source/Muscidae), currently consisting of 27 species."ITIS Standard Report Page: Muscina." Integrated Taxonomic Information System. 20 Mar. 2009 They are worldwide in distribution and are frequently found in livestock facilities and outside restrooms. The most common species are ''M. stabulans'' (the most widely studied species), ''M. levida'', and ''M. prolapsa''. ''Muscina'' flies commonly breed in manure and defecate on food, which has been linked to the spread of some disease and illnesses."False Stable Fly." North Carolina IPM. 20 Mar. 2009 "Fly Control In Confined Livestock And Poultry Production - Novartis Animal Health Inc." The Control Of Flies On Livestock And Poultry Farms - Novartis Animal Health Inc. 20 Mar. 2009 The occurrence of ''Muscina'' larvae on dead bodies has led to their regular use in [forensic](/source/forensic) investigations, as they may be used to estimate the time of death.{{cite book | last = White | first = Richard E. | title = A Field Guide to the Beetles of North America | publisher = Houghton Mifflin Harcourt | year = 1998 | location = New York, New York | pages = 208–214 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=S9IK9OMjuNEC&q=Peterson+Field+Guides:+Beetles | isbn =978-0-395-91089-4 }} Research have shown the prevalence of certain species of ''Muscina'' flies as [vector](/source/Vector_(epidemiology))s of diseases such as [poliomyelitis](/source/poliomyelitis). ==Characteristics== {{Multiple image | align = left | direction = vertical | width = 200 | image1 = | caption1 = ''Muscina levida'' wing | image2 = | caption2 = ''Muscina prolapsa'' wing }} ''Muscina'' species are characterized by a retractable [proboscis](/source/proboscis), [sponging](/source/sponging_mouthpart) or [sucking](/source/sucking) mouthparts, and a pale tip on the [scutellum](/source/scutellum_(insect)).{{cite journal |last1=Dodge |first1=Harold R. |title=Identifying common flies |journal=Public Health Reports |date=1953 |volume=68 |issue=3 |pages=345–350 |doi=10.2307/4588414 |jstor=4588414|pmid=13037962 |pmc=2023985 }} The species ''M. stabulans'' and ''M. levida'' are larger than the [housefly](/source/housefly), and have moderately curved fourth veins with the latter also having a black [palpi](/source/palpi). The species ''M. levida'' has legs that are entirely black. ''M. pascuorum'' flies have a red palpi, a strongly curved fourth vein that ends in or before the wing tip, and are generally larger than ''M. levida''. ==Life cycle== ''Muscina'' species undergo the same transformations throughout the life cycle as similar species and families in the [order](/source/Order_(biology)) [Diptera](/source/Diptera). Flies in the Dipteran order undergo what is known as [holometabolous](/source/holometabolous) transformation, a type of [metabolic](/source/metabolic) transformation in which an [insect](/source/insect) starts out as an egg, undergoes [larval](/source/larval) stages, and then pupates before reaching full adulthood. The adult [insect](/source/insect) is referred to as an [imago](/source/imago).{{cite web |url=http://www.amonline.net.au/insects/insects/metamorphosis.htm |title=Metamorphosis - A remarkable change |work=Insects |access-date=2006-04-22 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060422032155/http://www.amonline.net.au/insects/insects/metamorphosis.htm |archive-date=2006-04-22 }} ===Eggs and larvae=== Flies are completely wingless at the beginning of development. In normal fly production there can be as many as 250 eggs laid by a mature female."Decomposition: Fly eggs." 11 Mar. 2009 The adult female keeps the eggs inside the [abdomen](/source/abdomen) until all of the eggs are produced and then lays the eggs through an [ovipositor](/source/ovipositor) located on the hind end of the [abdomen](/source/abdomen). thumb|''Muscina'' flies mating These eggs are very small in size. Female adult flies usually choose decaying matter as sites to lay the eggs. These nutrient-rich areas are ideal for the growth and development of the hatching [larva](/source/larva)e. In contrast to adult flies, the larvae do not have a definite head. Instead, there are two grasping hooks that they use to cut and tear food.{{cite web |url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/164747/dipteran |title=dipteran (insect) -- Britannica Online Encyclopedia |access-date=2009-04-01}} The larvae of ''Muscina'' have 11 segments. At the posterior end of the larvae are a set of [spiracles](/source/Spiracle_(arthropods)). The spiracles of ''Muscina'' have spiracular slits that are not straight and exhibit some form of curvature.{{cite journal |last1=Srinivasan |first1=R |last2=Sureshbabu |first2=L |last3=Chand |first3=P |last4=Shanmugam |first4=J |last5=Gopal |first5=R |last6=Shivekar |first6=S |last7=Senthil |first7=K |title=Intestinal myiasis caused by ''Muscina stabulans'' |journal=Indian Journal of Medical Microbiology |date=2008 |volume=26 |issue=1 |pages=83–5 |doi=10.1016/S0255-0857(21)02003-X |pmid=18227609 |doi-access=free |hdl=1807/53547 |hdl-access=free }} Larvae use the spiracles to breathe. The spiracles have a number of slits that can be used to determine what [instar](/source/instar), or [larval](/source/larval) stage, the larvae are in; for example, one slit means first instar, two slits means second instar, and three slits means third instar. It has been shown that the environmental temperature has a strong influence on [larval](/source/larval) development: increasing temperature directly influences the amount of time that the [larva](/source/larva)e need to complete development.{{cite journal |last1=Mascarini |first1=Luciene Maura |last2=Prado |first2=Ângelo Pires do |title=Thermal Constant of an Experimental Population of ''Muscina stabulans'' (Fallén 1817) (Diptera:Muscidae) in the Laboratory |journal=Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz |date=2002 |volume=97 |issue=2 |pages=281–283 |doi=10.1590/s0074-02762002000200026|pmid=12016459 |url=http://repositorio.unicamp.br/jspui/bitstream/REPOSIP/21607/1/S0074-02762002000200026.pdf }} ===Pupa=== After the larval phase, the Muscina larvae pass through a pupal stage. In this stage, there are many transformations that occur, such as the formation of legs, head, and wings. Simultaneously, a protective layer builds up and forms a [cocoon](/source/Pupa), which aids in protection of the vital organs of the fly. ''M. levida'' is a species in this [genus](/source/genus) that does not form a cocoon. The duration of the pupal stage also varies depending on the temperature of the surrounding environment. ===Adults=== After sufficient time for pupal development has elapsed, the fly will be able to break out of its hard pupa shell, and the fly's wings begin to spread. Although completely formed in the pupa stage, the adult's wings do not reach its full size until outside the pupa covering. Through the use of [blood vessels](/source/blood_vessels) inside the wings, the fly is able to expand to full width and length and complete its [life cycle](/source/biological_life_cycle). ==Medical importance== thumb|left|''Muscina'' fly with a drop of regurgitated fluid Some [insects](/source/insects) have been shown to be potential carriers of [pathogenic](/source/pathogenic) agents that can cause diseases. [Mosquitoes](/source/Mosquitoes) and [ticks](/source/ticks) as well as certain species of ''Muscina'' flies have been revealed to be possible [vectors](/source/Vector_(epidemiology)). ''M. stabulans'', along with almost two dozen other species of flies have been named the “disease-causing flies.”{{cite web |url=http://www.killgerm.com/downloads/Hazards%20Pests%20Food%20Premises.pdf |title=www.killgerm.com |access-date=2009-04-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080517055330/http://www.killgerm.com/downloads/Hazards%20Pests%20Food%20Premises.pdf |archive-date=2008-05-17 |url-status=dead }} Species of flies such as ''M. stabulans'' can spread [bacterial](/source/bacterial) and [viral](/source/virus) [pathogens](/source/pathogens) via transfer from its feet or [mouthparts](/source/Insect_mouthparts). Adult female flies tend to lay eggs in decaying material such as food or dead organisms and fresh fecal material. The fecal material houses a vast number of pathogenic bacteria, viruses, [protozoan](/source/protozoan) and other disease-causing agents. Most of the bacteria and viruses are not introduced from the fecal material to the fly when in the egg or [larva](/source/larva)e form; rather, the transfer occurs in the transition of a young fly to adulthood. Fecal particles attach to the fly's outer body as it emerges from the larvae. Transfer of bacteria occurs when the fly takes off and lands on an open wound or food material. Physical contact flakes the [pathogen](/source/pathogen) off the fly's body and causes [contamination](/source/contamination). The spread of a [pathogen](/source/pathogen) by means of a fly's outer body, such as its feet, to the host, is referred to as mechanical transmission. It is possible to determine the identify [pathogen](/source/pathogen) carried by identifying the species of fly. In these instances, food [sanitation](/source/sanitation) is an important preventive measure to ensure [food safety](/source/food_safety).{{cite journal |vauthors=Graczyk TK, Knight R, Tamang L |title=Mechanical Transmission of Human Protozoan Parasites by Insects |journal=Clinical Microbiology Reviews |volume=18 |issue=1 |pages=128–32 |date=January 2005 |pmid=15653822 |pmc=544177 |doi=10.1128/CMR.18.1.128-132.2005 }} Moreover, a study of flies including ''M. stabulans'' and ''M. levida'' has shown that fly incidence peaked about 4–5 months before the occurrence of a [poliomyelitis](/source/poliomyelitis) epidemic. This time period matches the time it takes for the infective agent to incubate in a human plus the extra time necessary for the fly to acquire and incubate the virus in its body.{{cite journal |last1=Power |first1=Maxwell E. |last2=Melnick |first2=Joseph L. |title=A Three-year Survey of the Fly Population in New Haven During Epidemic and Non-epidemic Years for Poliomyelitis |journal=The Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine |date=October 1945 |volume=18 |issue=1 |pages=55–69 |pmid=21434247 |pmc=2601852 }} ==Forensic importance== ''M. stabulans'' and ''M. levida'' belong to the [ecological](/source/ecological) group of the filth fly.{{cite book |author1=Gary R. Mullen |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=u4RGXGkRq5YC&pg=PA280 |title=Medical and Veterinary Entomology |author2=Lance A. Durden |publisher=Elsevier |year=2002 |isbn=978-0-08-053607-1 |page=280}} ''Muscina'' flies are attracted to decaying [organic matter](/source/organic_matter), and are commonly found on corpses, urine, and feces. ''Muscina'' flies are useful in determining [post-mortem interval](/source/post-mortem_interval)s. The presence of ''Muscina'' [larva](/source/larva)e in diapers and on [genitalia](/source/genitalia) can indicate a timeline for the period of neglect in infant or elderly death cases. From the second [instar](/source/instar) phase onwards, ''M. stabulans'' are predacious upon other larvae, and will eat other forensically important [arthropods](/source/arthropods).{{cite web |url=http://wiki.benecke.com/index.php?title=2000-07_Mark_Benecke:_Child_neglect_and_forensic_entomology |title=2000-07 Mark Benecke: Child neglect and forensic entomology - ForensicWiki |access-date=2009-04-01}} Presence of the false stable fly [larva](/source/larva)e on buried bodies enables investigators to estimate the time of death. The [antennae](/source/Antenna_(biology)) of the false stable fly can detect buried bodies. In these cases, the fly lays its eggs on top of the soil, and the hatching larvae will then burrow and invade the corpse. The false stable fly will also lay its eggs in [blood](/source/blood), even in the absence of a body.{{cite book |author1=Erzinۅclioڷglu, Zakaria |author2=Zakaria Erzinclioglu |title=Maggots, murder, and men: memories and reflections of a forensic entomologist |publisher=Thomas Dunne Books |location=New York |year=2002 |isbn=0-312-28774-7 }} The presence of eggs in blood allows [entomologists](/source/entomologists) to estimate the time of injury, which helps investigators and crime scene investigators. ''Muscina stabulans'' are found on corpses in autumn and winter. In one experiment, ''M. stabulans'' larvae were found on a rabbit corpse two days after death. ''M. stabulans'' are present in the fresh stage, but are predominantly found in the [adipocere](/source/adipocere)-like stage, characterized by the [hydrolysis](/source/hydrolysis) of the carcass’ [fatty tissue](/source/fatty_tissue). In this phase, the carcass loses its shape and is a mass of hair, fat, skin, and [cartilage](/source/cartilage). The skin eventually becomes rigid, protecting the [larva](/source/larva)e on the carcass and the insects living underneath the carcass.{{cite journal |last1=de Souza |first1=Alex Sandro Barros |last2=Kirst |first2=Frederico Dutra |last3=Krüger |first3=Rodrigo Ferreira |title=Insects of forensic importance from Rio Grande do Sul state in southern Brazil |journal=Revista Brasileira de Entomologia |date=2008 |volume=52 |issue=4 |pages=641–646 |doi=10.1590/S0085-56262008000400016 |doi-access=free }} ==Myiasis== [Myiasis](/source/Myiasis) is the feeding on live humans and [vertebrate](/source/vertebrate)s by [dipterous](/source/Diptera) fly larvae. ===Human=== ''Muscina'' flies are rarely seen on the skin of living mammals, but there has been one reported case where a ''Muscina'' species alone caused [cutaneous](/source/cutaneous) myiasis in a human. A nine-year-old girl from [Minnesota](/source/Minnesota) was reported with a lump on her wrist that was reddened and elevated, but showed no signs of any external openings or of containing any pus inside. A vaseline bandage was applied after some blood was extracted, and the lump was soaked in hot water several times. Twelve hours later, a worm was found in the cut after removing the bandage. Several other small lesions were noticeable around the proximity of the cut, but they receded at about this time. The girl recovered after applying a hot pack to the lesion. The larvae were confirmed by M. T. James of the [State College of Washington](/source/Washington_State_University) and C. W. Sabrosky and W. W. Wirth of the [United States National Museum](/source/United_States_National_Museum) to be a ''Muscina'' fly, most likely ''M. levida''.{{cite journal |last1=Barr |first1=A. Ralph |last2=Thompson |first2=John H. |title=A Case of Cutaneous Myiasis in a Child Caused by ''Muscina'' sp. |journal=The Journal of Parasitology |date=1955 |volume=41 |issue=5 |pages=552–553 |doi=10.2307/3273822 |jstor=3273822 |doi-access=free }} ''Muscina stabulans'' was reported in a case of [intestinal](/source/intestinal) myiasis. A twenty-year-old [Indian](/source/India) man experienced abdominal discomfort, bloated abdomen, and intestinal hurrying after meals. Larvae of ''M. stabulans'' were found in the man's stool. ===Sheep=== In certain parts of the world where sheep production is important, ovine myiasis by certain dipteran species is a major concern. Areas where ruminant myiasis are problematic are [Australia](/source/Australia), [Southern Africa](/source/Southern_Africa), and the [British Isles](/source/British_Isles). ''M. prolapsa'' along with other dipteran flies have been identified in cases in southwestern [Scotland](/source/Scotland).{{cite journal |last1=Morris |first1=Owen S. |last2=Titchener |first2=Richard N. |title=Blowfly species composition in sheep myiasis in Scotland |journal=Medical and Veterinary Entomology |date=July 1997 |volume=11 |issue=3 |pages=253–256 |doi=10.1111/j.1365-2915.1997.tb00403.x |pmid=9330256 |s2cid=30393977 }} ==Ongoing research== Current research have delved into the role ''Muscina'' flies play in forensics. ''Muscina stabulans'' was found to be an important fly in the determination of [post-mortem interval](/source/post-mortem_interval)s (PMI) in the Rio Grande do Sul state in southern [Brazil](/source/Brazil). ''M. stabulans'' show up during the [adipocere](/source/adipocere)-like stage of decomposition whereby the [carcass](/source/Carrion) loses its natural shape due to hydrolysis of the fatty tissue. Moreover, ''M. stabulans'' appearance on bodies in large numbers during the autumn and winter months is useful in narrowing down time of death. ==Species== {{multiple image | direction = horizontal | width = 200 | header = ''[Muscina prolapsa](/source/Muscina_prolapsa)'' | image1 = | caption1 = | image2 = Diptera-Muscidae-Muscina-prolapsa-201205120103.JPG | caption2 = Female }} {{multiple image | direction = horizontal | width1 = 200 | width2 = 200 | header = ''[Muscina levida](/source/Muscina_levida)'' | image1 = | caption1 = Female | image2 = Diptera-Muscidae-Muscina-levida-201209210022.JPG | caption2 = Male }} *''[Muscina angustifrons](/source/Muscina_angustifrons)'' [Loew](/source/Hermann_Loew), 1858"|M. (Genus)."Welcome to ZipcodeZoo. 21 Mar. 2009 *''[Muscina arcuata](/source/Muscina_arcuata)'' Shinonaga, 1989 *''[Muscina aurantiaca](/source/Muscina_aurantiaca)'' Hough, 1899 *''[Muscina brunnea](/source/Muscina_brunnea)'' *''[Muscina concolor](/source/Muscina_concolor)'' *''[Muscina dorsilinea](/source/Muscina_dorsilinea)'' Wulp, 1896 *''[Muscina flukei](/source/Muscina_flukei)'' Snyder, 1956 *''[Muscina fulvacrura](/source/Muscina_fulvacrura)'' Snyder, 1956 *''[Muscina fungivora](/source/Muscina_fungivora)'' [Robineau-Desvoidy](/source/Jean-Baptiste_Robineau-Desvoidy), 1830 *''[Muscina grisea](/source/Muscina_grisea)'' *''[Muscina heterochaeta](/source/Muscina_heterochaeta)'' [Villeneuve](/source/Joseph_Th.Villeneuve_de_Janti), 1915 *''[Muscina japonica](/source/Muscina_japonica)'' Shinonaga, 1974 *''[Muscina krivosheinae](/source/Muscina_krivosheinae)'' Lobanov, 1977 *''[Muscina latipennis](/source/Muscina_latipennis)'' *''[Muscina levida](/source/Muscina_levida)'' ([Harris](/source/Moses_Harris), 1780){{cite book |last1=Harris |first1=M. |title=An exposition of English insects |volume= Decads III, IV|date=1780 |publisher=Robson Co. |location=London |pages= 73-99, 100-138, pls. 21-30, 31-40 |url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/226006#page/5/mode/1up |access-date=16 July 2021}} *''[Muscina longicornis](/source/Muscina_longicornis)'' *''[Muscina minor](/source/Muscina_minor)'' Portschinsky, 1881 *''[Muscina pascuorum](/source/Muscina_pascuorum)'' [Meigen](/source/Johann_Wilhelm_Meigen), 1826 *''[Muscina principalis](/source/Muscina_principalis)'' [Schiner](/source/Ignaz_Rudolph_Schiner), 1868 *''[Muscina prolapsa](/source/Muscina_prolapsa)'' ([Harris](/source/Moses_Harris), 1780) *''[Muscina stabulans](/source/Muscina_stabulans)'' [Fallén](/source/Carl_Fredrik_Fall%C3%A9n), 1817 *''[Muscina sumatrensis](/source/Muscina_sumatrensis)'' Shinonaga & Kurahashi, 2002 *''[Muscina texana](/source/Muscina_texana)'' *''[Muscina tripunctata](/source/Muscina_tripunctata)'' Wulp, 1896 *''[Muscina varicolor](/source/Muscina_varicolor)'' ==References== {{Reflist|30em}} ==Further reading== *[https://books.google.com/books?id=CvYuAAAAMAAJ&dq=Muscina+latipennis&pg=RA2-PA229 ''Muscina latipenis'' characteristics (pg. 229)] *[https://books.google.com/books?id=peJQEeZRuDUC&dq=Muscina+texana&pg=PP1 The Biological Bulletin] *[https://archive.org/stream/bookofflynatures00harduoft/bookofflynatures00harduoft_djvu.txt The Book of the Fly] ==External links== *[http://www.galerie-insecte.org/galerie/html/INSECTA__Diptera__Muscidae.html Common ''Muscina sp.'' pictures] {{Taxonbar|from=Q6940261}} Category:Muscidae Category:Forensic entomology Category:Brachycera genera Category:Taxa named by Jean-Baptiste Robineau-Desvoidy --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Muscina](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muscina) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muscina?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.