The objective of this work was to describe the morphology and the developmental time of Chrysomya putoria larvae, a fly of public health and forensic importance. The samples were collected at 2 hr intervals, during the first 56 hr and at 12 hr intervals thereafter, until all mature larvae had abandoned the diet. The total developmental time for Chrysomya putoria larvae at 27 ºC was 92 hr, with a mean length of 13.42 mm. The larvae presented unique morphological characteristics which differentiated them from other exotic and autochthonous species found in Brazil. The cephalopharyngeal skeleton of the third instar larvae is robust and sclerotized; the mouth hook is completely pigmented and curved; the posterior end is wider than the anterior, being slightly pointed. The accessory oral sclerit is absent and the dorsal and ventral horns have areas with less pigmentation. It is possible to visualize an area with no pigmentation adjacent to the horns, outstanding in size near the ventral corn with a well delimited medial incision. The anterior spiracles presented 10 to 11 ramifications, open peritrema and the presence of a spiracular bud from the second instar on.
Blowfly; forensic entomology; larval morphology
