We have located links that may give you full text access.
Comparative Study
Journal Article
Effect of Temperature on the Survival and Development of Three Forensically Relevant Dermestes Species (Coleoptera: Dermestidae).
Journal of Medical Entomology 2017 September 2
Most Dermestes species (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) are scavengers during both larval and adult stages, with a preference for dry organic matter. Because of this, Dermestes beetles are potentially useful indicators in forensic investigations concerning skeletonized and mummified human remains. However, there is a paucity of reference developmental data on most forensically relevant Dermestes species. This study analyses the effect of five constant temperatures (15, 20, 25, 30, and 35 °C) on the survival and developmental rates of three of the forensically most relevant dermestids: Dermestes frischii Kugelan, Dermestes maculatus De Geer, and Dermestes undulatus Brahm. Pig skin was used as rearing substrate, to use a substrate as similar as possible to that exploited in nature. Overall, the temperature had a significant effect on the survival and the duration of development, with optimal values at intermediate temperatures. Both D. frischii and D. maculatus showed similar developmental rates and the shortest developmental times at 30 °C, whereas D. undulatus developed faster at lower temperatures. At 15 °C, both D. frischii and D. undulatus did not oviposit, whereas no D. maculatus individuals survived beyond the pupal stage. An inconsistent number of larval instars per individual were observed across different constant temperatures in the three species. The present study aims to provide baseline developmental data for further advances in the potential use of Dermestes beetles as forensic tools in long postmortem interval cases.
Full text links
Related Resources
Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university
For the best experience, use the Read mobile app
All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2024 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.
By using this service, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.
Your Privacy Choices
You can now claim free CME credits for this literature searchClaim now
Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university
For the best experience, use the Read mobile app