Development of Necrobia rufipes (De Geer, 1775) (Coleoptera: Cleridae) under constant temperatures and its implication in forensic entomology. (June 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hu, Guoliang; Wang, Man; Wang, Yu; Tang, Huanhuan; Chen, Rufeng; Zhang, Yingna; Zhao, Yunlong; Jin, Jiaying; Wang, Yifan; Wu, Maowang; Wang, Jiangfeng
• Is Part Of: Forensic science international. Volume 311(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-06
• Subjects: Forensic entomology -- In vivo measurement -- Necrobia rufipes -- Development -- Instar determination; Medical jurisprudence -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Forensic -- Periodicals; Forensic Medicine -- Periodicals; Médecine légale -- Périodiques; Chimie légale -- Périodiques; Gerechtelijke geneeskunde; Gerechtelijke chemie; Gerechtelijke psychiatrie; Chemistry, Forensic; Medical jurisprudence; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 614.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2020.110275
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0379-0738

Abstract

Highlights: The development of Necrobia rufipes was monitored from 22 to 36 °C. The morphological indexes of larvae were measured in vivo . Developmental models were established which can be used to estimate PMImin . A linear discriminant analysis and classifiers for N. rufipes instars were determined. This study provides data for PMImin estimation using N. rufipes. Abstract: After the death of humans or animals, the odors released at different stages of decay attract various insects, and other arthropods, to the corpses. Therefore, the development of insects, and other arthropods present on corpses, can be assessed to estimate the minimum postmortem interval since death. In general, necrophagous blow flies are the insects that first colonize corpses. With progressing decay, other necrophagous and predatory insects arrive at the corpses, which will develop on or around these either by feeding directly on the corpses or by prey on other immature insects. Beetles (Coleoptera) mainly arrive at the corpses during the later stages of decay, and play important roles in cases with longer postmortem intervals. Necrobia rufipes (De Geer, 1755) (Coleoptera: Cleridae) is an important stored-product species with world-wide distribution. Moreover, it is also a forensically important insect species. At temperatures of 22, 25, 28, 31, 34, and 36 °C (±0.5 °C), the developmental periods from egg to adult were 113.20 ± 2.96, 66.16 ± 3.22, 50.61 ± 1.95, 38.26 ± 2.48, 37.97 ± 2.40, and 31.20 ± 2.11 days, respectively. In vivo measurements obtained the morphological indexes of larvae. The growth curve and the equation of the relationship between development time, body lengths, and mesonotum widths were simulated. The isomorphen diagram model, the isomegalen diagram model, and the thermal summation model were established. In addition, the widths of head capsules and pronota of larvae at different instars were determined by cluster analysis. Classifiers were created and validated by linear discriminant analysis.