From classical collections to citizen science: change in the distribution of the invasive blowfly chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann, 1819) in chile

Abstract

Tracking the invasion of Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann, 1819) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) in South America has multiple distribution gaps. In the present study, we describe the distribution change of this invasive blowfly through time in Chile, using combined methods of collection of occurrences to fill these distributional gaps. We reconstruct the current distribution with entomological collection data, literature, and citizen science. We found that the distribution of C. albiceps expanded only in the central zone of Chile from 2006 to 2011. However, from 2015, the species was recorded in northern Chile, more than 1300 km away from the first locality recorded, through samples and citizen science. We discuss the distribution change and the possible cause of its expansion in the country.