The study of insects of forensic interest with the purpose of qualitatively and/or quantitatively detecting toxic substances is called forensic entomotoxicology. The present study was conducted to determine whether the antidepressant, fluoxetine, could be detected and quantified in two sarcosaprophagous fly species (Lucilia sericata, Sarcophaga crassipalpis) reared on pig muscle that had been mixed with 2000 mg/kg of the antidepressant. Samples of third larval instars, pupae and puparia were removed after certain periods of time. Fluoxetine was detected and quantified in larvae and pupae of both species using UV spectrophotometry at 270 and 277 nm. No significant differences were found between all the samples of both species. Puparia of L. sericata, but not S. crassipalpis were also positive for fluoxetine.

A new crane fly species from Vietnam, Tipula (Vestiplex) laocai Pilipenko & Starkevich sp. nov. is described and illustrated. A list of species belonging to the group of Tipula (Vestiplex) himalayensis is revised and identification key is provided.

This paper describes and illustrates with diagrams and photographs the diapausing larva of the epeoline Thalestria spinosa (Fabricius), a large cleptoparasitic bee, recovered in 1971 from the nest of its host, the South American andrenid bee Oxaea flavescens (Klug). The larva closely resembles that of many Triepeolus (Epeolini), the immature stages of which are better known (Rozen, 1966, 1996). The larva of T. spinosa can be distinguished from those of other known Epeolini by the shape of its short, triangular mandible with a pronounced swelling on its inner surface that projects distally from its base. The lack of strong tentorial structuring as well as internal ridges on the cranium has long suggested that epeolines have a weak head exoskeletons. However, after careful study of T. spinosa and review of other larval Epeolini, the author now suggests that the extensive integumental thickening of the cranium and the broad connections of the frontal area of the head with the rear part, though less noticeable, obviates the need of a strong tentorium and internal head ridges.

Merope tuber Newman, 1838, commonly known as earwigflies or forcepflies, are an enigmatic member of Mecoptera that are known from eastern North America. Outside of collection localities and anatomy, relatively little is known about their behavior, reproduction, or any other aspect of their biology. In this manuscript, we report a new collection record of these uncommonly collected insects in Southold, Suffolk County, New York. While M. tuber are known from Ontario to Florida, their distribution is very discontinuous - this easily accessible field site represents new opportunities for future research, including the ongoing hunt for their larvae, which are currently unknown.