Beetles of Forensic Beetles of Forensic Importance 3Importance 3

Beetles of Forensic Beetles of Forensic Importance 3Importance 3

March 13,March 13, 20092009

March 13,March 13, 20092009

Beetles of Forensic Beetles of Forensic ImportanceImportance

Beetles of Forensic Beetles of Forensic ImportanceImportance

Staphylinidae (Rove beetles)

Silphidae (Carrion beetles)

Scarabidae (Scarab beetles)

Histeridae (Hister or clown beetles)

Dermestidae (Skin beetles)

Cleridae (Checkered beetles)

Carabidae (Ground beetles)

Staphylinidae (Rove beetles)

Silphidae (Carrion beetles)

Scarabidae (Scarab beetles)

Histeridae (Hister or clown beetles)

Dermestidae (Skin beetles)

Cleridae (Checkered beetles)

Carabidae (Ground beetles)

HisteridaeHisteridaeHisteridaeHisteridae

Clown Beetles or Hister Beetles

3000 species, 500 found in US

Under 10 mm in length

Rounded, shiny black

Most species associated with decaying matter

Clown Beetles or Hister Beetles

3000 species, 500 found in US

Under 10 mm in length

Rounded, shiny black

Most species associated with decaying matter

HisteridaeHisteridaeHisteridaeHisteridae

Certain species on carrion and excrement

On carcasses, stay concealed

Adults and larvae predaceous

Isolated in collection

Certain species on carrion and excrement

On carcasses, stay concealed

Adults and larvae predaceous

Isolated in collection

Clown BeetleHister quadrinotatus

Clown BeetleHister sedakovi

Clown BeetleSaprinus pennsylvanicus

Bloat-dry fresh-late

CleridaeCleridaeCleridaeCleridae

3500 species

Over 500 in North America

Often brightly colored

Bristly hairs

3-12 mm

Narrow pronotum

Variable antennae

3500 species

Over 500 in North America

Often brightly colored

Bristly hairs

3-12 mm

Narrow pronotum

Variable antennae

Cleridae Cleridae Cleridae Cleridae

Predaceous

Adults frequent flowers

Dryer stages of decay

Predaceous

Adults frequent flowers

Dryer stages of decay

Necrobia rufipes

ScarabidaeScarabidaeScarabidaeScarabidae

One of largest beetle families

19,000 species

1400 North America

Elongate, robust, convex

Decomposers

One of largest beetle families

19,000 species

1400 North America

Elongate, robust, convex

Decomposers

ScarabidaeScarabidaeScarabidaeScarabidae

Sub family Scarabaeinae

Dung beetles, tumblebugs

Less than 1 inch

Larvae large and c-shaped

14 species

Sub family Scarabaeinae

Dung beetles, tumblebugs

Less than 1 inch

Larvae large and c-shaped

14 species

Phaneus vindex

Deltochilum gibbosum gibbosum

Trogidae--Hide BeetleTrogidae--Hide BeetleTrogidae--Hide BeetleTrogidae--Hide Beetle

Sometimes treated as subfamily of Scarabidae

Troginae

50 species in North America

5-20 mm

Oblong to oval

Rough dorsum

Sometimes treated as subfamily of Scarabidae

Troginae

50 species in North America

5-20 mm

Oblong to oval

Rough dorsum

Trox suberosus

CarabidaeCarabidaeCarabidaeCarabidae

Ground Beetles

40,000 species

1200-2500 species in North America

Omnivorous

Generally nocturnal

Ground Beetles

40,000 species

1200-2500 species in North America

Omnivorous

Generally nocturnal

CarabidaeCarabidaeCarabidaeCarabidae

First abdominal sternite divided by hind coxae

Heat at eyes narrower than pronotum

Antennae threadlike

Black and shiny with striated elytra

First abdominal sternite divided by hind coxae

Heat at eyes narrower than pronotum

Antennae threadlike

Black and shiny with striated elytra

Life CycleLife CycleLife CycleLife Cycle

Spring or Autumn Breeders

Egg production related to food supply and size

5-10 eggs or several hundred

Larvae--external digestion

Development takes 1 year

Spring or Autumn Breeders

Egg production related to food supply and size

5-10 eggs or several hundred

Larvae--external digestion

Development takes 1 year

NitidulidaeNitidulidaeNitidulidaeNitidulidaeSap beetles

2500 species world wide, 183 in US

Variable in appearance

Dark in color

4-12 mm, oval shaped

some look like staphylinidae, but have clubbed antennae

clubbed antennae

V

Sap beetles

2500 species world wide, 183 in US

Variable in appearance

Dark in color

4-12 mm, oval shaped

some look like staphylinidae, but have clubbed antennae

clubbed antennae

V

NitidulidaeNitidulidaeNitidulidaeNitidulidae

Few species attracted to carrion

More advanced stages of decay

Prefer moist environments

Little known about importance

Few species attracted to carrion

More advanced stages of decay

Prefer moist environments

Little known about importance

Omosita colon

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