Forensically Important Coleopteran Insects and Other Orders’ Species Attracted to Control and Warfarin-Intoxicated Rabbit Carrions

Abstract

Forensic entomology is an expanding discipline of entomology that combines an entomologist's knowledge of insect species, its life cycles, and habitats with aspects of law enforcement. Orders Diptera and Coleoptera constitute major entomological evidence for PMI determination. This study was designated to examine the decomposition process and beetles’ succession (Order: Coleoptera) on exposed rabbit carrions. Six rabbits were divided into two groups: the first group was intoxicated with Warfarin rodenticide (Warfarin-intoxicated, WI), and the second group was asphyxiated via hanging as the control (C). Five decomposition stages were observed in all carcasses. Four coleopteran families were represented by seven species: Attagenus faciatus, Dermestes maculates, Dermestes frischii (Dermestidae), Creophilus maxillosus (Staphylinidae), Saprinus chalcites, Saprinus furvus (Histeridae) and Necrobia rufipes (Cleridae). Of these, Attagenus faciatus (29.9 % off C) and Saprinus furvus (20.9% off WI) were the most common species. In general, Dermestidae was the first attracted group and more common (66. 8% off C; 35.8% off WI) followed by Histeridae (17.3% off C; 34.1% off WI), Staphylinidae (8.5% off C; 16.8% off WI) and Cleridae (7.5% off C; 13.3% off WI). Eleven species of other orders were collected off both carcasses. Monomorium pharoanis (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) was the predominant species collected off both control and intoxicated carcasses (50:57.5% and 90: 57.3%, respectively). This study provides information on the diversity, succession, relative abundance, and occurrence of forensically important coleopterans in Cairo, Egypt. Moreover, it is the first record of coleopteran insects on Warfarin-intoxicated remains.