Abnormal eggs laid by blow flies (Diptera, Calliphoridae) during a high-temperature experiment: A communication

Phormia regina is reported to deposit eggs with an abnormal appearance and in an atypical, scattered pattern under long-time exposure to high temperatures. Photos are provided and discussed within the context of blow fly egg morphology. Desiccation caused by the high temperatures is a possible mechanism for the atypically shaped eggs being deflated. These events coincided with eggs being laid singly, and in an apparent haphazard fashion, as opposed to deposition of globulous egg clutches widespread among carrion-breeding blow flies. Alternatively, this could be oösorption as a stress-induced survival response, which has been shown to reduce individual egg size and cause egg-dumping in other insects. This unexpected, and therefore unquantified observation demonstrates a need for more research on the effects of high temperatures on egg maturation and oviposition behavior in blow flies. These photos also show that such an event is within the natural range of blow fly reproductive biology which is pertinent to investigators conducting forensic entomology casework.