SURVIVAL AFTER SUBMERGENCE IN THE PUPAE OF 5 SPECIES OF BLOW FLIES (DIPTERA, CALLIPHORIDAE)

Survival of pupae of known ages after 1 to 5 d of submersion under wat er was assessed by determining the emergence of Protophormia terraenov ae (Robineau-Desvoidy), Calliphora vicina (Robineau-Desvoidy), Cochlio myia macellaria (F.), Phormia regina (Meigen), and Phaenicia sericata (Meigen). Survival after 1 d of submergence was < 14% in the white pup arial stage, 0-100% in pharate adults nearing eclosion, and almost-equ al-to 100% in pupae between these two stages. This pattern inversely t racks O2 consumption during metamorphosis. Twenty-five percent of the pupae of three species (P. terraenovae, P. regina, and P. sericata) pr oduced normal adults after 4 d of submersion, but none after 5 d. Amon g survivors, the pupation period was extended by the duration of subme rsion. Pupae of C. vicina were least able to withstand drowning. These data are potentially useful in estimating duration of submergence of a corpse in forensic investigations where the corpse becomes submerged after the larvae have developed and pupariated.