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Field study on the attraction and development of insects on human meconium and breast-fed-infant feces

Grant D De Jong1

  • 1Ecological Division, GEI Consultants Inc., Denver, CO, 80237.

Journal of Forensic Sciences
|March 19, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Newborn urogenital myiasis is rare. Studies show breast-fed infant feces attract flies like Lucilia sericata, but larvae growth is limited, suggesting later-infant myiasis pathways.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Entomology
  • Neonatal Care

Background:

  • Urogenital myiasis in newborns is uncommon and often linked to neglect.
  • The attractant properties of infant excreta for flies remain unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the attractiveness of human meconium and breast-fed infant feces to insects.
  • To analyze insect larval colonization and growth on these substrates.

Main Methods:

  • Exposure of insect adults (Lucilia sericata) to meconium and infant feces.
  • Observation of insect arrival, oviposition, and larval development on substrates.

Main Results:

  • Lucilia sericata adults were attracted to breast-fed infant feces within minutes.
  • Insects showed minimal attraction to meconium.
  • Larval oviposition and growth occurred on infant feces, but larvae did not progress past the second instar.

Conclusions:

  • Urogenital myiasis by Lucilia sericata in the immediate postpartum period is unlikely.
  • Fecal desiccation and depletion in older newborns may facilitate urogenital myiasis.
Keywords:
Dipteradiaperfecesforensic entomologyforensic sciencemeconiumneglectnewborn infanturogenital myiasis

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