Abstract
Megaselia scalaris Loew (Diptera: Phoridae) and Parasarcophaga ruficornis Fabricius (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) are flies of forensic importance. Impact of M scalaris on the life cycle of P. ruficornis has been studied under laboratory condition. The life cycle of M scalaris in pure culture was completed in 245 +/- 2.33 hours (10.21 +/- 0.42 days) and in 464 +/- 3.63 hours (19.33 +/- 0.23 days) in the case of P. ruficornis. The mixed culture of both flies required about 289 2.75 hours (12.04 +/- 0.12 days) and 568 +/- 3.08 hours (23.66 +/- 0.5 days), respectively in the same conditions. The life cycle of P. ruficornis was therefore shown to be delayed by about four days; with most of the duration being spent in the pre-pupal and pupal stages and lesser in the maggot stage, compared with pure culture in the same conditions. These results suggest that the presence of M. scalaris must be considered when determining post mortem intervals using the life cycle of P. ruficornis.