Visitation patterns of principal species of the insect-complex at carcasses in the Kruger National Park

Abstract

Two full-grown impala rams Aepyceros melampus were shot on 1978.01.07 in the Pafuri area of the Kruger National Park, Republic of South Africa. The carcasses were placed in enclosures 2,7 km apart and used to monitor the visitation patterns of insects. Collections of insects were made at four-hourly intervals for the first six days after placement of the carcasses, and thereafter every six hours up to the eleventh and final day. A figure is given to describe changes in the physical attributes of the carcasses through time. Twelve figures depict the patterns of arrival of insects at the carrion habitat. Species from the following families are represented: Cleridae, Dermestidae, Histeridae, Scarabaeidae, Silphidae, Staphylinidae, Trogidae (Coleoptera); Calliphoridae, Muscidae, Piophilidae, Sepsidae (Diptera); Diapriidae and Formicidae (Hymenoptera). The results indicate that species have distinctive periods of abundance and presents an overall picture of insect succession at carrion.