Sterile diet for larvae of Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius, 1794)

perspectives of use in larval therapy

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.9789/2175-5361.rpcfo.v17.12828

Keywords:

Larvae debridement therapy, homogenate-based diet, blowfly, sterile diet

Abstract

Objective: To develop an agar-based diet that allows the larvae to feed for up to 48 hours. Method: Bovine lung homogenate was added to the agar base to meet the nutritional needs of insects, as a control group blood agar was used. The viability and growth of immature larvae of Chrysomya megacephala were evaluated after 48 hours on sterilized or non-sterilized bovine lung/homogenized agar diets at three different protein concentrations: 5%, 10% and 15%. Results: Larval viability at different concentrations of artificial bovine lung/homogenized agar diet was considered high. The tested diets had enough nutrients for the larvae to grow from 0.334 to 0.533 cm in 48 hours. Conclusion: Blood agar can be replaced by the alternative bovine lung/homogenized agar diet, as it is easier to produce, more economical, practical and nutritious for C. megacephala larvae.

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Author Biographies

Mariana Nunes, Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro

Master in Neotropical Biodiversity, by the Postgraduate Program in Neotropical Biodiversity at the Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro (PPGBIO-UNIRIO); Graduated in Biological Sciences (Bachelor) from the Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro (UNIRIO); Researcher associated with the Diptera Study Laboratory (LED-UNIRIO). Has experience in Biotechnology, with emphasis on Biodiversity.

Ana Carolina Debelian, Rio de Janeiro State University

Bachelor's Degree in Nursing from the Alfredo Pinto School of Nursing, Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro (UNIRIO). Nursing resident in Nephrology at the State University of Rio de Janeiro (UERJ)

Wellington Thadeu de Alcantara Azevedo, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro

Bachelor and Degree in Biological Sciences from the Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro (UNIRIO), Master in Biological Sciences with focus on Neotropical Biodiversity from the same institution. Currently a PhD student in Animal Biology at the Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRRJ). Guides scientific initiation students, undergraduate and master's course completion work. Experienced in the field of Entomology, with emphasis on Diptera Calliphoridae and Mesembrinellidae, working mainly on the following topics: Taxonomy, ecology, biology, Medical Entomology with a focus on myiasis and larval therapy, forensic entomology and environmental entomology.

Renato da Silva Filho, Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro

Graduated in Medicine at the Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro - UNIRIO (1982), specialization in Quality Management at Candido Mendes University (2005), Master's Degree in Science (Microbiology) at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (1991) and PhD in Sciences (Health Surveillance) from the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (2014). He is currently an Associate Professor at the Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro - UNIRIO.

Claudia Lessa, Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro

Holds a degree in Veterinary Medicine from the Fluminense Federal University (1990), a Master's degree in Veterinary Medicine from the Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro (1997) and a PhD in Veterinary Sciences from the Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro (2001). Is currently a professor at the Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro (UNIRIO). Training in Parasitology, working mainly on the following topics: Diptera, Calliphoridae, Myiasis and Larval Therapy.

Valéria Aguiar, Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro

Graduated in Biological Sciences from the Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro (1985), master's degree in Parasitology from the Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro (1988) and Ph.D. in Parasitology from the Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro (1994). Currently a Professor of Parasitology at the Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro-UNIRIO, professor of the Graduate Program in Biology - Neotropical Biodiversity at UNIRIO and professor of the Animal Biology Program at UFRRJ. Guides undergraduate, master's and doctoral undergraduate and graduate students. Has experience in the area of ​​Parasitology, with emphasis on Entomology, working mainly on the following topics: Diptera, Calliphoridae, Hymnoptera, Pteromalidae, biology, ecology, biological control, Atlantic Forest, myiasis, forensic entomology, larval therapy and parasitology teaching.

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Published

2025-03-10

How to Cite

1.
dos Passos Nunes M, Debelian AC, de Alcantara Azevedo WT, da Silva Filho RG, Soares Santos Lessa C, Magalhães Aguiar V. Sterile diet for larvae of Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius, 1794): perspectives of use in larval therapy. Rev. Pesqui. (Univ. Fed. Estado Rio J., Online) [Internet]. 2025Mar.10 [cited 2026Feb.24];17:e-12828. Available from: https://seer.unirio.br/cuidadofundamental/article/view/12828

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Vol. 17 (2025)

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Artigo

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