ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Published Online: 1 January 2005
Page Count: 2

Black Soldier Fly (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) Colonization of Pig Carrion in South Georgia
Sheppard, DC
Texas A&M University, Texas

Joyce, JA
Texas A&M University, Texas

Tomberlin, JK

(Received 19 November 2003; accepted 9 September 2004)

Abstract

The black soldier fly, Hermetia illucens (L.), is thought to colonize corpses 20–30 days postmortem. However, recent observations indicate this might not be true for all cases. Therefore, we conducted a study examining colonization by the black soldier fly and other Diptera on pig carrion in a plowed field in southern Georgia from 20 September through 21 February. Our data indicate black soldier flies could colonize a corpse within the first week after death. Knowing this information could prevent a serious mistake in estimating the time at which a corpse is colonized by this species. This study also represents the first record of Chrysomya rufifacies in Georgia.

Keywords:
forensic science, decomposition, entomology, Diptera, Hermetia illucens, Chrysomya rufifacies

Paper ID: JFS2003391
DOI: 10.1520/JFS2003391
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