Anatomy of Calliphora vicina (Diptera: Calliphoridae) larva and evaluation of Roundup Full II® effect on the development and morphology of this forensic species

Glyphosate formulations have been used in self-poisoning and accidental poisoning. Calliphora vicina (Diptera: Calliphoridae) is associated with decomposing human and animal remains. The aims of the study were to describe the anatomy of C. vicina larva and changes in it due to Roundup Full® II (RFII). Also, we evaluated the effects of this herbicide on the development and external morphology of C. vicina. These flies were exposed to two doses of RFII (7.69 and 4.62 ml/kg) and daily observations were performed to record the duration of life cycles. Larvae of third instar were selected for anatomical studies of the digestive, excretory and fat bodies structures. Also, specimens of all stages were removed to evaluate possible alterations in anatomy, size, external morphology and sex proportion due to RFII. As a result, the microscopic and macroscopic anatomy of the aforementioned structures of the third-stage larva of C. vicina is described. Furthermore, the anatomy of the insects exposed to the herbicide did not show any differences compared to the controls, nor were any changes found in the other parameters evaluated. In conclusion, taxonomic determination and PMI estimation could be done as usual.