Identification of the Geographical Source of Adults of the Old World Screw-Worm Fly, Chrysomya bezziana Villeneuve (Diptera: Calliphoridae), by Multivariate Analysis of Cuticular Hydrocarbons

Abstract The cuticular hydrocarbon compositions of male and female Chrysomya bezziana from different locations are qualitatively similar but show quantitative differences. The qualitative similarity and lack of marked quantitative differences over its whole range is consistent with C. bezziana being a single species. This accords with the results of studies on hybridization, morphology, allozymes, and chromosomes. Canonical variate analysis of quantitative differences has enabled grouping of locations by geographical regions. Components insensitive to age and sex have been identified that would permit the location by geographical region of a fly of unknown age and sex. However, greater precision is obtained if the sex of the fly be known.