| Forensic entomology, commonly used worldwide, is not used in Puerto Rico due to the lack of a database of forensically important insects. This study presents the temporal, quantitative and qualitative distribution of insects associated in the decomposition of Sus domesticus exposed to sun, partial shadow, and total shadow in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. Samples of immature and adult insects were collected from three pigs weighing approximately 23 kg. The data were taken simultaneously with corpse and maggot mass temperature, relative humidity, and ambient temperature. The decomposition stages observed were fresh, bloated, active, advanced, and dry remains. A total of 6845 insects from 73 species, 10 orders and 39 families were collected. The environmental conditions of each study site influenced the duration of the decomposition stages and the associated insect community. The forensically important insects were Chrysomya rufifacies and Cochliomyia macellaria (Diptera: Calliphoridae), Hydrotaea aenescens and Fannia pusio (Diptera: Muscidae and Fannidae), and Dermestes maculatus, Necrobia rufipes, and Philontus hepaticus (Coleoptera: Dermestidae, Cleridae and Staphylinidae, respectively). The ants Solenopsis geminata, Odontomachus haematoda and Camponotus sexguttatus were the main predators reducing the populations of eggs and larvae. Results showed a pattern of insect succession, demonstrating that this tool can be used to resolve forensic cases in Puerto Rico. |
