Solenopsis invicta x richteri (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) necrophagous behavior causes post-mortem lesions in pigs which serve as oviposition sites for Diptera

Abstract

Outdoor decaying corpses immediately attract Calliphoridae and Sarcophagidae flies. However, the invasive red and black imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta and richteri) is also attracted to carrion with a reportedly predatory behavior. We documented outdoor decomposition in piglets exposed and unexposed to fire ants. We observed early and extensive fire ant colonization with an intense necrophagous behavior. The ant-inflicted post-mortem skin lesions and flesh removal areas became blow fly oviposition sites. This work documents a previously unreported vigorous fire ant necrophagous behavior on carrion that creates wounds unrelated to the cause of death which could potentially affect post-mortem interval estimates.