Detection and quantification of toxic heavy metals on calliphoridae larvae

Insects represent the largest group of living organisms in the world. They inhabit numerous ecosystems and are exposed to various climatic, physical and chemical conditions. As a consequence of to their exposure, insects can accumulate xenobiotics potentially present in their environment and in their trophic resources; the analysis of these foreign substance using insects is a field known as entomotoxicology and it is an important instrument for ecological assessments. Forensic entomology is the application of entomology to legal investigations; it is often used to estimate the minimum postmortem interval, movement of the remains or presence of toxicants in the remains. Forensic entomotoxicology focuses on the use of necrophagous insects as a substrate for the detection and quantification of xenobiotics accumulated by insects while feeding on the corpse. Heavy metals are non-biodegradable elements present in the environment; they represent a threat for humans’ health as well for the environment. The purpose of this research study is to design a protocol for the detection and quantification of heavy metals in the gut content and cuticles of blow fly (Diptera: Calliphoridae) larvae. A modified protocol of EPA method 3051A will be employed for sample digestion, using nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide; heavy metals will then be analyzed using ICP-MS. The results of this study will refine protocols for the extraction and quantification of heavy metals from entomological substrates and will contribute to our understanding of how calliphorid larvae accumulate these elements.