Tarbiat Modares University Journal of Insect Biodiversity and Systematics 2423-8112 8 3 2022 08 13 Assessment of variation between two blowfly species, Lucilia cuprina (Wiedemann) and Lucilia sericata (Meigen) (Diptera, Calliphoridae) using geometric morphometrics and cuticular hydrocarbon profiling 449 465 20499 10.52547/jibs.8.3.449 EN Isaac Badu Department of Conservation Biology and Entomology, School of Biological Sciences, College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Ghana. 0000-0003-3964-4615 Rofela Combey Department of Conservation Biology and Entomology, School of Biological Sciences, College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Ghana. 0000-0003-4645-4588 Peter Quandahor CSIR-Savanna Agricultural Research Institute, P.O.Box 52, Tamale, Ghana. Journal Article 2022 03 31 View on Scopus<br><br>Lucilia cuprina and Lucilia sericata are two closely related species due to their similarity in morphology, habitat, distribution, and economic importance. Even though other methods have segregated the species, the aspect of comparative studies on geometric morphometrics and cuticular hydrocarbon composition in species variability is yet to be explored in these species. This study was conducted to assess variability between the two species and between the sexes. Wing shapes of 187 specimens of both species were analysed by geometric morphometric techniques. Landmarks 11, 10, 6 and 9, which corresponds to the intersection between the medial and the radial medial veins, medial and branched cubitus veins, distal end of radius vein (R2 + 3 vein) and curve point of medial vein, respectively, contributed significantly to the variability within and between species. Cuticular hydrocarbon profiles of four randomly collected individuals each of male and female L. cuprina and L. sericata, were assessed using GC-MS. Octadecene, Celidoniol, Hexatriacontane, Tetracontane and Tetracontane were identified as common for both species. 9-Octadecenal(z) and Tetracosane-11-decyl being recorded as the most abundant hydrocarbons in male and female L. cuprina, and 13-methylheptacosane and Tetratetracontane in male and female L. sericata, respectively. Diagnostic characters indicating the variabilities can be used for the identification of the species. https://jibs.modares.ac.ir/article_20499_9fb0b4d60bfef7bf4382bf8fa7ea945e.pdf