What insects might the forensic entomologist find?
The first type of insect to arrive at a dead body is usually a blowfly (Calliphoridae), attracted by body fluids and gases. It lays its eggs within two days after death, so its stage of development – egg, larval stages, prepupal or pupal stage, adulthood – will suggest how long the corpse has been lying undetected. Ambient conditions affect both how soon after death the blowflies arrive and how quickly the maggots develop. Then, as the body decays due to microbial fermentation, flesh flies (Sarcophagidae) are attracted to it. Later, decomposition of body fat attracts hide beetles, and a Pyralid moth in the genus Aglossa might arrive. And after three to six months, protein breakdown attracts other insects, such as the cheese skipper Piophila casei. Necrophagous species, also called carrion feeders (mainly flies and beetles) actually consume dead flesh. Others, like Rove Beetles (Staphylinidae) are predatory on the carrion feeders. Among the beetles, the Dermestidae occur at the later st
