Instructions
You have received three cases (see below), and you have been asked to determine a time of colonization estimation for each case. Unfortunately, you only get photos of the evidence and no actual insects to look at. Each case hasphotos of the collected insect evidence, along with some temperature data from the scene. You are required to download official temperature data from NOAA, and statistically correct that data as we discussed in class. Calculate a time of colonization estimation for each photoset using degree days that you calculate from your library of development data. Include your identification of the unknown insects, your temperature data correction calculations, and your time of colonization estimations. Make sure to cite which paper you pulled your developmental data from! You may present this information in whatever format you wish, as long as it is clear. Put everything into a PDF and upload to turn it in.
Note: Do notwrite up a full report! There is not need to do that here. This assignment is to test your calculations, ability to pull info from NOAA, and identification. You will be graded on the accuracy of your identifications, temperature corrections, and time of colonization estimations only.
Case #1
Date
|
Daily high (F)
|
Daily Low (F)
|
July 25, 2015
|
92
|
79
|
July 26, 2015
|
91
|
79
|
July 27, 2015
|
92
|
80
|
July 28, 2015
|
91
|
78
|
July 29, 2015
|
91
|
78
|
Investigators collected a pileof 55 maggots from a crime scene in Miami, Florida. All maggots look the same (are of the same species and age). Investigators have taken photos of the maggotsand their spiracles, and they havereared out several of them to confirm species identification.
The maggots were collected on July 24, 2015, and investigatorsplaced a temperature unit at the scene for 5 days (data above).
Case 2:
May 1, 2015
|
84
|
61
|
May 2, 2015
|
85
|
62
|
May 3, 2015
|
86
|
62
|
May 4, 2015
|
83
|
70
|
May 5, 2015
|
82
|
65
|
A container full of unknown insects werecollected from a crime scene inFullerton, California on April 30th, 2015. Investigators count 50 maggots and 200 pupae. All 50 maggots look alike, and all 200 pupae look alike. A representative set of maggots was chosen and photographed (below), along with their major characteristics.A representative set of pupae was also chosen and photographed (below).Note: the pupae are the same species as the maggots.No adults were reared out from these samples. Atemperature unit was placed at the scene for 5 days (temperature data above).
Case #3
Date
|
Daily high (F)
|
Daily Low (F)
|
Oct. 2, 2015
|
77
|
64
|
Oct. 3, 2015
|
82
|
60
|
Oct. 4, 2015
|
84
|
66
|
Oct. 5, 2015
|
82
|
57
|
Oct. 6, 2015
|
57
|
46
|
A body was found on October 2, 2015, at 2225 Exposition Way in San Luis Obispo, CA. Insect evidence was collected from the body, and a temperature unit was placed at the scene for 5 days (info above).
The insect evidence reveals two different species of maggot feeding on the body. Eighty maggots of Species A were collected, and 20 maggots of Species B were collected. Photos of both of these species were taken, including their major characteristics. Investigators sent a representative sample of Species A to the SEM lab, and have sent you SEM pictures of Species A. Investigators decided to rear out a few of the Species A maggots, and have sent you photos of the resulting adults.