Necrobia rufipes (De Geer, 1775) (Coleoptera: Cleridae) life history traits and its application in forensic entomology

Abstract

Forensic entomology focused sarcosaprophagous insects and arthropods may provide a sound tool for assessment of Post Mortem Interval (PMI) and could provide scientific evidence for date of deaths. However, few data on necrophagous insect are available in many western African countries. The current study focused on Necrobia rufipes, an insect known to be appear on highly decomposed and skeletonized corpses of mammals. Our research aimed at examining some biological parameters of N. rufipes on pig and rabbit used as substrate under ambient conditions. As results, eggs took around 72 hours to hatch regardless substrate. The duration of larval stages was shorter on pigs than those found in rabbits and ranged from 2 to 11 days. Statistical analyses performed showed that substrates had a highly significant effect (P < .0001) on the life span of both adults female and male as well as on female oviposition. The life span of males fed on pig was significantly higher than those fed on rabbit, with values of 74.82 ± 10.34 and 27.55 ± 4.71 days respectively, while for females, the lifespan was 90.36 ± 10.77 and 36.67 ± 4.92 days on pigs and rabbits respectively. Moreover, N. rufipes laid more eggs on pigs ( 285.75 ± 56.94 ) than on rabbits (5.50 ± 1.14 eggs). Pigs remained the most preferred food substrate compared to rabbits and confirmed that they were a good model for forensic investigations. The Knowledge of these parameters could help to get skills for assessing the PMI.