270 likes | 724 Views
Beetles of Forensic Importance 3. March 13, 2009. Beetles of Forensic Importance. Staphylinidae (Rove beetles) Silphidae (Carrion beetles) Scarabidae (Scarab beetles) Histeridae (Hister or clown beetles) Dermestidae (Skin beetles) Cleridae (Checkered beetles) Carabidae (Ground beetles).
E N D
Beetles of Forensic Importance 3 • March 13, • 2009
Beetles of Forensic Importance • Staphylinidae (Rove beetles) • Silphidae (Carrion beetles) • Scarabidae (Scarab beetles) • Histeridae (Hister or clown beetles) • Dermestidae (Skin beetles) • Cleridae (Checkered beetles) • Carabidae (Ground beetles)
Histeridae • 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
Histeridae • Certain species on carrion and excrement • On carcasses, stay concealed • Adults and larvae predaceous • Isolated in collection
Clown Beetle Hister quadrinotatus Clown Beetle Hister sedakovi Clown Beetle Saprinus pennsylvanicus Bloat-dry fresh-late
Cleridae • 3500 species • Over 500 in North America • Often brightly colored • Bristly hairs • 3-12 mm • Narrow pronotum • Variable antennae
Cleridae • Predaceous • Adults frequent flowers • Dryer stages of decay
Scarabidae • One of largest beetle families • 19,000 species • 1400 North America • Elongate, robust, convex • Decomposers
Scarabidae • Sub family Scarabaeinae • Dung beetles, tumblebugs • Less than 1 inch • Larvae large and c-shaped • 14 species
Deltochilum gibbosum gibbosum Phaneus vindex
Trogidae--Hide Beetle • Sometimes treated as subfamily of Scarabidae • Troginae • 50 species in North America • 5-20 mm • Oblong to oval • Rough dorsum
Carabidae • Ground Beetles • 40,000 species • 1200-2500 species in North America • Omnivorous • Generally nocturnal
Carabidae • First abdominal sternite divided by hind coxae • Heat at eyes narrower than pronotum • Antennae threadlike • Black and shiny with striated elytra
Life 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
Nitidulidae • 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
Nitidulidae • Few species attracted to carrion • More advanced stages of decay • Prefer moist environments • Little known about importance