MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF BLOWFLY MAGGOTS (DIPTERA, CALLIPHORIDAE) FROM THE MIDDLE OF IRAQ

This study aimed to conduct a comparative analysis of seven calliphorid species of third- instar larvae that were collected from central Iraq. The purpose was to morphologically characterize these species and develop an identification key to differentiate them from closely related species. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) graphical images and high-resolution traditional optical microscopes were used to analyze the morphological characteristics of the species Calliphora vomitoria (Linnaeus, 1758), C. vicina Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830, Chrysomya albiceps (Widemann, 1819), Ch. rufifacies (Macquart, 1844), Ch. megacephala (Fabricius, 1794), Lucilia cuprina (Wiedemann, 1830), and L. sericata (Meigen, 1826). An identification key was constructed based on the observed morphological differences to enable accurate species separation. The constructed identification key provided a reliable method for species separation based on their morphological features. This study contributes to the field by providing a comprehensive morphological characterization of the larvae of these blowfly species which are distributed in central Iraq. The developed identification key offers a valuable tool for future research and forensic investigations involving these species, enabling accurate species identification and differentiation.