Observations on the Succession Patterns of Necrophagous Insects on a Pig Carcass in an Urban Area of Southeastern Brazil

Abstract

Carcasses of the domestic pig (Sus scrofa L.) were exposed in an urban area in the vicinity of Campinas SP, Brazil, to determine stages of decomposition and insects of forensic significance exploiting the carcasses. Four species of Calliphoridae (Diptera) were collected and considered to be of potential forensic significance for urban situations in the regions: Chrysomya albiceps, Chrysomya megacephala, Chrysomya putoria, and Lucilia eximia. Unlike many other studies, Sarcophagidae were relatively late arrivals at the carcass with activity beginning on day 5, while Muscidae species arrived early. Ant activity, which began on day 1 of the study, was observed to retard the rate of biomass removal.