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Insect rearing protocols in forensic entomology: Benefits from collective rearing of larvae in a carrion beetle Necrodes littoralis L. (Silphidae).

ABSTRACT: Forensic entomologists frequently use a developmental method to estimate a post-mortem interval (PMI). Such estimates are based usually on the blow fly larvae or puparia. Data on their development is obtained by rearing them in colonies. In the case of beetles, which can be also useful for PMI estimation, development data is frequently collected by rearing them individually. However, some carrion beetles are gregarious, for instance, Necrodes littoralis (Linnaeus, 1758) (Silphidae). We compared mortality, rate of development and body size of emerged adult beetles reared individually and in aggregations. Mortality was much higher for beetles reared individually, particularly at low temperatures. The rearing protocol affected the time of immature development and the size of adult insects. Individually reared specimens developed much longer at 16°C, whereas at 20°C and 26°C development times of individually reared beetles were slightly shorter. Significant differences in the body size were observed only at 16°C; beetles that developed in aggregations were larger at this temperature. These findings demonstrate that aggregating is particularly beneficial for larvae of N. littoralis at low temperatures, where it largely reduces mortality and facilitates growth. Moreover, these results indicate that in forensic entomology the protocol of individual rearing is unsuitable for gregarious beetles, as it produces reference developmental data of low quality.

SUBMITTER: Gruszka J

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8635339 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:In the central plains of North America, the beetle family Silphidae comprised two subfamilies, Silphinae and Nicrophorinae, differentiated by reproductive behaviors. Silphinae, known as carrion beetles, feed on carrion and fly larvae and produce free-living larvae that receive no parental care. Adult Nicrophorinae, known as burying beetles, prepare a vertebrate carcass into a brood ball and provide biparental care to their offspring. Preparation of a brood ball involves coating the carcass in antimicrobial oral and anal secretions. These secretions contain a community of microbes, referred to as the secretion microbiome, which inhibit carcass microbe succession, preventing normal decomposition. Here, the secretion microbiomes of five species of Nicrophorinae and two species of Silphinae, both sampled from Oklahoma, with additional Nicrophorinae from Nebraska, were characterized using culture-independent analyses to understand and decipher factors shaping diversity and community structure. We identify the core secretion microbiome across Silphidae and show that, while the host subfamily, secretion type, and collection locality had no significant effect on the bacterial community alpha diversity, these factors significantly influenced bacterial community structure. Global and local tests of phylogenetic associations identified 14 genera with phylogenetic signals to the host subfamily and species. Description of the bacterial communities present in silphid secretions furthers our understanding of how these beetles interact with microbes for carcass nutrient processing. Future culture-dependent studies from silphid secretions may identify novel antimicrobials and nontoxic compounds that can act as meat preservatives or sources for antimicrobials.IMPORTANCEThe manuscript explores the secretion bacterial community of carrion and burying beetles of the central plains of North America. A core secretion microbiome of 11 genera is identified. The host subfamily, secretion type, and collection locality significantly affects the secretion microbiome. Future culture-dependent studies from silphid secretions may identify novel antimicrobials and nontoxic compounds that can act as meat preservatives or sources for antimicrobials.

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Insect rearing protocols in forensic entomology: Benefits from collective rearing of larvae in a carrion beetle Necrodes littoralis L. (Silphidae).

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