Surface Ultrastructural Changes on Third Instar Larvae of Chrysomya Albiceps (Diptera : Calliphoridae) Induced by Codeine Phosphate

Abstract

The blowflies of Chrysomya albiceps are of medical and forensic importance. As they represent the most commonly studied insects in relation to forensic entomology because larvae of Chrysomya albiceps are the insects that are most commonly associated with corposes. The present work aimed at determina- tion of the effect of codeine phosphate on Chrysomya albiceps larvae. The larvae in this work hatched from eggs of adult flies reared on rabbit tissues injected by lethal dose of codeine phosphate were used to observe the effect of the drug in comparison to control group. Both groups were observed by scanning electron microscopy (S.E.M.). Ultrastructural changes were observed in larvae reared on treated rabbits. These changes were in the form of distortion in cephalic segment where there were distortion in oral groove, antennal and maxillary sensory complex. There were marked swelling of the integment and tuber- cles specially on the caudal segment. There were marked affection on respiratory spiracles where anteri- or respiratory spiracles showed atrophy and obliteration of respiratory openings, while posterior respira- tory spiracles showed hypogenesis and obliteration of respiratory slits by blebbing. These results indicate that codeine phosphate is capable of causing deformation in chrysomya albiceps larvae and that these larvae could be used in entomotoxicological purposes.