This increase in expression at late instar 3 could be associated with feeding and rapid growth. The increase in later larval stages, pupae and adults of these miRNAs was also reported for the silkworm moth Bombyx mori. Conversely, miR-10-5p appears to peak at instar 1 and then gradually decline in levels in late instar 3 to adult, which is not recapitulated in the silkworm moth. miR-956-3p, which is expressed higher in the gut and ES compared to the crop and SG, was found at much higher levels in the newly emerged adult fly than in the other developmental stages. This miRNA has predicted gene targets involved in muscle development, growth and signaling in Drosophila. The variation in miRNA abundance between the developmental stages proposes the potential for them to be used in aging of maggots. Gene expression analysis has proven valuable in forensics for accurate determination of developmental stages. A set of miRNAs, such as miR- 10-5p which decreases through instars and miR-956-3p which increases could therefore be useful in forensic staging. Furthermore miRNAs are more stable than messenger RNAs which are currently assayed. In addition, we have identified various miRNAs, such as miR-8-3p, that are present in all larval stages of L. sericata. It is possible that novel siRNA-based CGP 12177 hydrochloride therapeutics, aimed at the interference of these insect-specific miRNAs might be useful in the treatment of blow-fly infections in agriculture to hinder larval development. The multimodal effects seen when CITCO maggot ES is used in the clinical setting is probably due to their diverse molecular composition, with proteins, fatty acids and peptides all found to be functional in promoting wound healing. The RNA component of ES that we have identified here may also have activity in wound healing. Indeed Wang et al discussed the potential for miRNAs to act as antimicrobials by downregulating bacterial gene expression. In the literature, RNA within bioactive insect secretions are limited to the study of the Honey Bee which produces both honey and royal jelly. The components of the royal jelly secretions have epigenetic effects on gene expression such that a worker bee fed on it will develop into a queen bee. Like the maggot ES, royal jelly has recently been shown to contain specific miRNAs, including miR-184, -276a, -10, -8, -31a and bantam, all of which overlap with our maggot ES findings. Furthermore, royal jelly itself is a proposed natural therapy for treatment of chronic wounds and has potent anti-bacterial properties. Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in the United States and the majority of the European countries. It has been elucidated that some severe cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, congestive heart failure and myocardial fibrosis are closely associated with high aldosterone levels.