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Member Symposium

Medical, Urban, and Veterinary Entomology

Systematics, Evolution, and Biodiversity

Forensic Entomology Beyond the Crime Scene: Using Arthropods as Environmental Detectives

Flies as vectors of disease: Advanced pathogen detection in environmental forensics in Malaysia

Wednesday, November 12, 2025

1:47 PM - 1:59 PM Pacific

Location: Oregon Convention Center, C120-122, OCC

Presenting Author(s)

HC

Heo Chong Chin

Universiti Teknologi
Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Co-Author(s)

MJ

Moriah Jackson

Universiti Teknologi MARA
Sungai Buloh, Selangor, Malaysia
IS

Isaac Seow

University of Nottingham Malaysia
Semenyih, Selangor, Malaysia
ZS

Zhen Yun Siew

University of Nottingham Malaysia
Semenyih, Selangor, Malaysia
KV

Kenny Voon

University of Nottingham Malaysia
Semenyih, Selangor, Malaysia
NP

Navindra Palanisamy

Universiti Teknologi MARA
Sungai Buloh, Selangor, Malaysia
SC

Sara Contente

Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences
Bethesda, Maryland
RR

Razuin Rahimi

Universiti Teknologi MARA
Sungai Buloh, Selangor, Malaysia

Environmental forensic entomology offers insights into habitats, biodiversity, risks of infectious diseases, and the presence of chemical and biological pollutants. Filth flies stand out due to their synanthropic behaviors, thriving in human environments where sanitation is often compromised. These ubiquitous flies are significant vectors for infectious diseases, as they mechanically transmit a diversity of pathogens. The increasing prevalence of antimicrobial resistance associated with these flies further highlights their critical role in public health. In this study, we employed shotgun metagenomic sequencing to investigate the diversity of pathogenic organisms present in house flies and blow flies collected from three distinct sites in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor: an urban park, a poultry farm, and a landfill. The dominant species at the poultry farm and landfill was Musca domestica, while Chrysomya megacephala was predominant at the urban park. Opportunistic pathogens, namely Streptococcus cristatus (15%) and Pseudomonas spp. (13%), were isolated from the urban park. Escherichia coli (28%) from fecal sources and Lactobacillus crispatus (8%), a probiotic from chicken feed, were detected from the poultry farm. The landfill yielded environmental bacteria, including Comamonas kerstersii (9%) and Klebsiella spp. (5%). Viral analysis identified aphid lethal paralysis virus (31%) in the urban park, Escherichia phage ST32 (5%) in the poultry farm, and Musca domestica salivary gland hypertrophy virus (66%) in the landfill. These findings highlight the need for ongoing surveillance and targeted control measures. Interdisciplinary approaches integrating advanced molecular techniques with innovative vector control methods will be vital in addressing emerging infectious threats to public health.