Maggots under the influence Helena Trajic and Brianna Truong Moscrop Secondary Floor Location : J 71 L

Maggots are and have been an important medical resource for debriding wounds, dissolving infected tissues and disinfecting and killing bacteria in the wounds. They have also been used as the key to forensic entomology- the science of determining post mortem intervals, and many other issues related to mostly violent death (Benecke 2005). Because of the important role they play, in society and in nature, it is essential to ensure that the use of common household drugs does not alter insect development, since such an event could result in an inaccurate estimate of the time of death.

Because of their prevalence in society, it would be advantageous to research how common household drugs would affect insect growth and maturation.

Three different drugs were chosen; Aspirin, Ibuprofen and BMI, along with a control (No Drug). 20 Tupperware boxes were used for habitat simulations which were filled with 1 1/2 cup of dirt and 200 grams of blended beef liver. For each different drug, five containers were used. Each had a different dosage of the drug: 25, 50, 100, 200 and 400 mg. Everyday, the length of the 15 maggots were measured from each box and an average was found. The results showed that none of the drugs did affect the size and maturation of the instar. However, the Aspirin and the Ibuprofen 25 and 50 mg increased the mean maturation rate. Aspirin and Ibuprofen 100 mg, 200 mg and 400 mg killed the instar. The Aspirin turned the maggots into shorter, rounder maggots contrary to the BMI, which made them longer and leaner. The BMI gave them a healthy appearance and seemingly energized them. The experiment showed that these common household drugs did affect their growth and maturation, showing that, if the victim of violent death was using any of these three drugs, the estimated time of death would be inaccurate.