Maggots are Hot: Determining the Temperature Maggots Experience during Myiasis
Level of Education of Students Involved
Undergraduate
Faculty Sponsor
Kristi Bugajski
College
College of Arts & Sciences (CAS)
Discipline(s)
Biology
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Symposium Date
Spring 5-1-2025
Abstract
Myiasis, the infestation of living tissues by Dipteran larvae, is a key component in cases of abuse and neglect in humans in forensic entomology. Temperature is a key factor in maggot growth and development. In this study, we aimed to determine the temperature that maggots experience during myiasis. Specifically, we are interested in determining if the temperature is closer to ambient, or body temperature. Approximately 20 larvae were put on a piece of liver in a piece of foil shaped into a cup, that was placed inside a glass container in a water bath set to 37°C to simulate human body temperature. Data loggers were used to record hourly temperatures of the water, air, and inside the bait cups for the duration of the experiment. The experiment lasted approximately 6 days, and concluded when the larvae reached the migration stage of their life stage development. After three trials there were various results found. In the first trial it was found that between bait cup one and cup two were statistically significant from each other, as well as the ambient temperature (p<0.00001). This is potentially due to the placement of the temperature probe within bait cup one. The temperature probe was deeper in the bait cup and was touching the aluminum closest to the hot water bath. We changed how the temperature probes were placed for trials two and three, and both were statistically significant from the ambient temperature (p<0.00001), but not from the other bait cup (p=0.993, p=0.346). Future experiments will add additional bait cups as well as continue to troubleshoot issues such as escaping maggots and keeping the temperature probes in a consistent location.
Recommended Citation
Bugajski, Kristi; Baranda, Arturo; and Nantz, Eris, "Maggots are Hot: Determining the Temperature Maggots Experience during Myiasis" (2025). Symposium on Undergraduate Research and Creative Expression (SOURCE). 1388.
https://scholar.valpo.edu/cus/1388
