Temperature-dependent development and computer modeling of insect growth: Its application to forensic entomology

In an effort to enhance human death investigations where entomological evidence is collected, this project defines the growth rates of three blow fly species (Phormia regina, Cochliomyia macellaria, and Chrysomya rufifacies) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) that are of forensic importance in Florida. Additionally, a computer simulation model was constructed in order to predict dipteran development on human cadavers so that entomological based postmortem interval estimations are more accurately refined.; The developmental research was conducted under constant temperatures of 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, and 40{dollar}spcirc{dollar}C as well as cyclical regimes of 45-35, 35-25, and 25-15{dollar}spcirc{dollar}C. For all temperatures, the emergence rates for the egg, growth curves for all larval instars, the time required of pupation, adult emergence rates, and stage duration was obtained for the three blow fly species listed above. Development to the adult stage was not successful for any species under the 10{dollar}spcirc{dollar}C or 40{dollar}spcirc{dollar}C constant temperature conditions, or the 45-35{dollar}spcirc{dollar}C cyclical regime.; The computer model was developed utilizing the MATLAB/Simulink software program. The model's capability for predicting the postmortem interval matched (to within 0.5 days) laboratory obtained insect growth data, as well as postmortem interval estimations by independent forensic entomologists utilizing previously published developmental data and Accumulated Degree Hour methodologies in actual cases of human death.