Carrion
Guides
Aleochara curtula
Shortened Minute Rove Beetle
Aleochara curtula is a small rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, distributed across the Palearctic region and introduced to North America. Adults measure approximately 7 mm in length with distinctive two-toned elytra and brush-like antennae. The species exhibits complex sexual behaviors including male-male aggression, female mimicry through pheromone production, and active female mate choice. Larvae are ectoparasitoids of fly pupae, developing within carrion habitats.
Calliphora
bluebottle flies, blow flies, bottle flies
Calliphora is the type genus of the blow fly family Calliphoridae, established in 1830. Adults are recognized by their metallic blue abdomens and dull grey to black thoraxes. The genus is globally distributed with highest diversity in Australia. Several species, particularly C. vicina, C. vomitoria, and C. livida, are among the most important insects in forensic entomology due to their predictable colonization of carrion.
Calliphora latifrons
blue bottle fly
Calliphora latifrons is a species of blow fly (family Calliphoridae) commonly known as a blue bottle fly. The species has limited geographic distribution in North America and is associated with undisturbed habitats. It is considered one of the most forensically important blow fly species due to its predictable life cycle and colonization patterns on carrion, which can be used to estimate postmortem intervals. Adults are known to enter houses and breed in small carcasses.
Calliphora livida
slow-flying and loud-buzzing blue bottle fly
Calliphora livida is a blow fly in the family Calliphoridae, commonly known as blue bottle flies. It is a medium-sized fly with a blue metallic sheen dulled by dense micromentum. The species is widespread across North America and is notable for its relatively delayed arrival on carrion compared to other blow flies, typically appearing approximately 24 hours after death. It prefers cooler, shaded environments with temperatures ranging from 4 to 15.6°C. The species holds significant forensic importance for post-mortem interval estimation, particularly during spring and colder months when other blow fly species may be less active.
Calliphora vicina
Blue Blowfly, Blue Bottle Fly
Calliphora vicina is a blow fly in the family Calliphoridae, commonly known as the blue bottle fly due to its metallic blue-gray coloration. It is one of the most important species in forensic entomology because of its predictable colonization patterns on carrion. The species is particularly significant for estimating post-mortem intervals, especially during cooler months when it remains active at temperatures below those tolerated by other blow flies.
Chloroprocta
Chloroprocta is a genus of blow flies in the family Calliphoridae, subfamily Chrysomyinae. The genus was described by Wulp in 1896. Species in this genus are associated with carrion and decomposing organic matter. The genus contains relatively few described species and is primarily distributed in the Old World tropics and subtropics.
Chrysomya
Old World blow fly
Chrysomya is a genus of blow flies in the family Calliphoridae, native to the Old World. The genus is distinguished by metallic blue-green coloration, thick setae on the meron, and plumose arista. Several species have become forensically significant due to their predictable developmental rates and association with carrion, with some species recently expanding into North America.
Chrysomya megacephala
oriental latrine fly, oriental blue fly
Chrysomya megacephala is a warm-weather blowfly with metallic blue-green coloration, notable for its forensic importance in estimating post-mortem intervals due to its rapid colonization of corpses. The species exhibits two distinct forms: a normal forest-dwelling form restricted to South Pacific Islands, and a synanthropic derived form that has spread globally from Papua New Guinea and is closely associated with human environments. It serves as a significant public health concern through its role in causing accidental myiasis and mechanically transmitting pathogens to human food.
Chrysomya rufifacies
hairy maggot blow fly, hairy maggot blowfly
Chrysomya rufifacies is a blow fly native to Australasia and Southeast Asia that has become established across the Americas, Africa, and parts of Europe through human-mediated dispersal. It is one of the most forensically significant insects due to its highly predictable developmental timing and tendency to colonize human remains within minutes of death. The species exhibits facultative predation on other carrion-feeding larvae, which can alter postmortem succession patterns and confound time-of-death estimates. Adults are medium-sized with metallic blue-green coloration; larvae are distinguished by prominent fleshy tubercles that give the species its common name.
Cochliomyia macellaria
secondary screwworm, secondary screwworm fly
Cochliomyia macellaria, the secondary screwworm, is a blow fly in the family Calliphoridae distributed throughout the Americas from southern Canada to Patagonia. The species is a specialist carrion colonizer whose larvae feed on necrotic tissue, distinguishing it from the primary screwworm (C. hominivorax) which attacks living tissue. Adults exhibit metallic blue-green coloration with orange-red eyes and head. The species holds significant forensic importance for postmortem interval estimation and has medical-veterinary relevance as a cause of secondary myiasis in livestock and humans.
Compsomyiops
Compsomyiops is a genus of blowflies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) established by Townsend in 1918. Members are necrophagous and serve as important forensic indicators for postmortem interval estimation. The genus has been documented as a phoretic host for Myianoetus mites (Acari: Histiostomatidae), representing a novel dispersal association for these mites. At least two species are recognized: C. fulvicrura in South America and C. wheeleri in North America.
Creophilus
hairy rove beetle
Creophilus is a genus of large rove beetles (Staphylinidae) containing some of the largest species in the family, reaching up to 30 mm in length. The genus includes approximately 12 described species distributed globally, with C. maxillosus being the most widely studied due to its forensic significance. Species in this genus are strongly associated with carrion habitats where they function as predators of fly larvae. The genus was revised in 2011, with two new species described and several synonymizations.
Cynomya
dog-fly
Cynomya is a genus of blow flies (family Calliphoridae) commonly known as 'dog-flies' from the Ancient Greek κυνόμυια. Species in this genus are large, conspicuous flies of forensic interest, primarily distributed across the Palaearctic Region with some overlap in Alaska and the Russian Far East. The genus includes species such as C. mortuorum and C. cadaverina, which are associated with carrion and occasionally recorded as agents of myiasis. Unlike many calliphorids, Cynomya species are not strongly synanthropic and are rarely abundant in nature.
Cynomya cadaverina
Shiny Blue Bottle Fly
Cynomya cadaverina, commonly known as the shiny blue bottle fly, is a blow fly in the family Calliphoridae. Adults are medium-sized with distinctive metallic blue coloration and are attracted to carrion, particularly in advanced stages of decomposition. The species is considered forensically significant for estimating post-mortem intervals, as its predictable life cycle and cool-weather activity patterns provide temporal clues in death investigations. It is native to the Nearctic region, with highest abundance in southern Canada and the northern United States.
Dermestes marmoratus
common carrion beetle
Dermestes marmoratus, commonly known as the common carrion beetle, is a species of carpet beetle in the family Dermestidae. It is found in North America, with records from southern California through the southwest, southern Rocky Mountains, and Great Plains states. The species is associated with carrion and bones in advanced stages of decomposition, where it feeds on dried animal remains.
Helicobia
flesh flies
Helicobia is a genus of flesh flies (Sarcophagidae) comprising at least 30 described species. Members are necrophagous and associated with decomposing animal matter. The genus has been studied for its forensic importance, particularly in estimating postmortem intervals. Research on Helicobia aurescens has provided detailed life cycle data and ultrastructural descriptions of immature stages.
Histeridae
clown beetles, hister beetles
Histeridae is a cosmopolitan family of predatory beetles containing more than 410 genera and 4,800 described species worldwide. Members are commonly known as clown beetles or hister beetles. They are immediately recognizable by their shortened elytra that leave two abdominal tergites exposed, and their elbowed antennae with clubbed, lamellate ends. The family exhibits remarkable ecological diversity, with species occupying niches ranging from carrion and dung to ant and termite colonies, forest litter, and tree bark. Their predatory habits on fly larvae and other arthropods have made them valuable for biological control and forensic entomology.
Lucilia coeruleiviridis
Blue-green Bottle Fly, Green Bottle Fly
Lucilia coeruleiviridis is one of the most common and ubiquitous blow fly species in the southeastern United States, with a range extending throughout the eastern US. This species is forensically important, frequently used for minimum postmortem interval (mPMI) estimation in death investigations. Larval development is strongly temperature-dependent, with optimal growth occurring at warm temperatures. The species was first described by French entomologist Justin Pierre Marie Macquart in 1855 and was formerly placed in the genus Phaenecia.
Lucilia illustris
Illustrious Greenbottle Fly, green bottle fly
Lucilia illustris is a blow fly in the family Calliphoridae, commonly known as the Illustrious Greenbottle Fly. Adults are 6–9 mm in length with a metallic blue-green thorax that reflects bronze and purple. The species develops through three larval instars with distinct morphological characteristics at each stage. It is frequently used in forensic entomology due to its predictable development rate and preference for carrion in sunlit environments.
Lucilia mexicana
green bottle fly
Lucilia mexicana is a green bottle blow fly in the family Calliphoridae, first described by Pierre-Justin-Marie Macquart in 1843 or 1844. Adults measure 6–9 mm and exhibit metallic blue-green thoraxes with purple tints. The species is distributed from the southwestern United States through Mexico and Central America to Brazil, inhabiting wooded and urban environments. It holds potential forensic significance for determining postmortem intervals and stored-product contamination cases, though more research is needed for reliable application in criminal investigations.
Lucilia silvarum
common toad fly, Marsh Greenbottle Fly
Lucilia silvarum is a blow fly in the family Calliphoridae, first described by Johann Wilhelm Meigen in 1826. Adults are 4.5–10 mm with metallic green coloration and plumose aristae, making them difficult to distinguish from related green bottle flies. The species has a Holarctic distribution across North America and Europe. Recent research has clarified its ecological role: it is primarily saprophagous on carrion and was identified as a primary colonizer of domestic cats in experimental studies, contradicting earlier assumptions that it was strictly associated with amphibian myiasis.
Neotibicen canicularis
dog-day cicada, dog-day harvestfly, heatbug, Northern Dog-day Cicada
Neotibicen canicularis is an annual cicada species found across much of North America, commonly known as the dog-day cicada or dog-day harvestfly. Unlike periodical cicadas that emerge in synchronized broods every 13 or 17 years, this species appears every summer, though individuals require several years to develop underground. Adults are active during the hot midsummer period traditionally called the "dog days." The species has been documented as a host for multiple flesh fly parasitoids in the family Sarcophagidae, including several first-record associations.
cicadaannual-cicadadog-day-cicadaHemipteraCicadidaeNeotibicenNorth-Americaparasitoid-hostflesh-flySarcophagidaesummersongtymbalnocturnal-emergencenymphroot-feedercarrionEmblemasomaHelicobiaSarcophagaOntarioQuébecOklahomaprairiewoodlandentomologyinsect-photographyMr.-JulyESA-calendarKeith-KennedyTed-MacRaeCatherine-DanaJohn-CooleyGene-Kritskycicada-killerSphecius-speciosusperiodical-cicada-contrastclimate-change-indicatorsoil-temperature-emergencebrood-XIIIbrood-XIXMagicicadaMegatibicenNeotibicen-auriferusNeotibicen-pruinosusNeotibicen-superbusMegatibicen-dorsatusMegatibicen-tremulusMegatibicen-dealbatuscicada-mappingCicada-Safaricitizen-scienceiNaturalistGBIFCatalogue-of-LifeNCBI-Taxonomylate-summerAugustJulyMontréalWoodward-CountyCimarron-CountyMajor-CountyBeaver-CountyAlabaster-Caverns-State-ParkGloss-Mountain-State-ParkBeaver-Dunes-ParkBlack-Mesa-State-Parkshortgrass-prairiehackberrybumeliajunipercanyon-woodlandmesquite-chaparralsand-duneHelianthus-annuusHelianthus-petiolarisProsopis-glandulosaPopulus-deltoidesRhus-aromaticaAsclepias-engelmanniiAsclepias-latifoliaSideroxylon-lanuginosumEuphorbia-marginatajug-trapLindgren-funnelultraviolet-lightmercury-vapor-lightacoustic-communicationpredator-avoidancecamouflagegreen-and-black-colorationcicada-killer-waspparasitoidEmblemasoma-albicomaEmblemasoma-erroHelicobia-rapaxSarcophaga-sarracenioidesSarcophaga-utilisfirst-recordnew-host-associationnew-provincial-recordnutrient-cyclingcarrion-resourcefood-webpredator-preyaerationflaggingtree-pruningclimate-changeearlier-emergencesoil-temperature64-Fahrenheitstraggler-cicadabrood-overlapIllinoisMidwestGreat-Plainseastern-forestannual-emergencesynchronous-emergencemass-emergencebrood-Xbrood-IIbrood-XIVbrood-XXIII17-year-cicada13-year-cicadaMagicicada-septendecimMagicicada-cassiniMagicicada-septendeculaOkanagana-rimosaSay's-cicadaTibicenAbrictaAmphipsaltaAruntaAustrotomaAyuthiaBaeturiaBalintaBasaBrevisanaCacamaCalyriaCicadatraCicadettaCicadivettaCosmopsaltriaCyclochilaDiceroproctaDundubiaEuterpnosiaFidicinaFidicinoidesGaeanaHenicopsaltriaHerreraHuechysHyalessaHylocicadaJassopsaltriaKikihiaLembejaLemurianaMacrotristriaMaoricicadaMoganniaMudaMyerscicadaNeopsaltriaNotopsaltaOkanaganaOkanagodesOligoglenaOnoralnaOudeboschiaPacarinaPahariaPalapsaltaPauropsaltaPictilaPlatypleuraPomponiaPsaltodaPterapsaltaQuesadaQuintiliaRaiateanaSaticulaSemiaSonotympanaSoudaniellaTaipingaTannaTerpnosiaTettigadesTettigettaThophaTibicinaTosenaTryellaUradolichosVenustriaXeropsaltaYezoterpnosiaZammaraZaphsaNicrophorus mexicanus
Mexican burying beetle
Nicrophorus mexicanus is a burying beetle in the family Silphidae, described by Matthews in 1888. The species is distributed across the southwestern United States and Central America, including Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras. As a member of the genus Nicrophorus, it exhibits the characteristic behavior of burying small vertebrate carcasses to serve as food for developing larvae.
burying-beetlecarrion-beetleSilphidaeNicrophorinaeMatthews-1888scavengervertebrate-carcassparental-caresouthwestern-United-StatesCentral-AmericaMexicoGuatemalaEl-SalvadorHondurasArizonaCaliforniaColoradoKansasNew-MexicoNevadaTexasUtahIowadecompositioncarrionNicrophorusbeetleColeopterainsectarthropodOnthophagus hecate blatchleyi
Scooped Scarab
Onthophagus hecate blatchleyi is a small dung beetle subspecies in the family Scarabaeidae, recognized as a regional variant of the Scooped Scarab. Males possess a distinctive broad, forked horn projecting from the thorax, which they use in combat for mating rights. The species has been documented visiting both dung and carrion, including bird carcasses and cattle feces. Research indicates populations are vulnerable to certain livestock parasiticides, particularly those with persistent residues in dung.
Phelister
clown beetles
A large genus of clown beetles (Histeridae) comprising over 90 described species. Members of the genus occupy diverse habitats including carrion, dung, and vertebrate nests. The P. panamensis species group is distinguished by unique hooks on the apex of the male 8th sternite.
Philonthus
Philonthus is a large genus of rove beetles (Staphylinidae) containing over 380 described species. These beetles are generally robust predators found in diverse habitats including decomposing organic matter, carrion, dung, and fungal substrates. The genus has a nearly cosmopolitan distribution with particular diversity in the Palaearctic region. Several species have been documented as rapidly colonizing new habitats and competing with native species.
Philonthus politus
Philonthus politus is a rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae. It is a small, predatory beetle approximately 10 mm in length. The species has been documented in association with carrion, where it feeds on fly maggots and other small insects. It occurs in North America and has been recorded from the Azores islands (Faial, Pico, São Jorge, São Miguel, Santa Maria). The species was first described by Linnaeus in 1758.
Philonthus thoracicus
Philonthus thoracicus is a species of rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae. As a member of the genus Philonthus, it is part of a large group of predatory beetles commonly associated with decomposing organic matter. The species occurs across much of North America, with documented records from Canada and numerous U.S. states. Like other Philonthus species, it likely inhabits carrion, dung, and other nutrient-rich decaying substrates where it preys on small invertebrates.
Philonthus varians
A rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae with a wide native distribution across the Palearctic region and established introduced populations in North America and elsewhere. As a member of the large genus Philonthus, it is one of many similar-looking predatory rove beetles. The species has been documented in carrion habitats alongside other decomposer-associated beetles.
Phormia
black blow fly
Phormia is a genus of blow flies in the family Calliphoridae. The genus contains a single species, Phormia regina, commonly known as the black blow fly. This species is native to North America and is among the most important insects in forensic entomology due to its predictable colonization of carrion and well-documented developmental rates. Adults are metallic blue or green in coloration and are distinguished by several morphological features including black gena, mostly white calypters, and orange-yellow anterior thoracic spiracles surrounded by bright orange setae.
Phormia regina
Black Blow Fly, Black Blowfly
Phormia regina, commonly known as the black blow fly, is a forensically important necrophagous species in the family Calliphoridae. It is widely distributed across the Holarctic region and is considered one of the most important forensic indicator species in the United States for estimating postmortem intervals. The species exhibits temperature-dependent development with a biological minimum between 10.0–12.5°C. Adults are attracted to decomposing tissue and carrion for oviposition. P. regina is primarily active during cooler seasons, earning it the designation of a "cold weather fly" that moves northward as temperatures increase.
Piophila
cheese flies, wine flies
Piophila is a genus of small dipteran flies in the family Piophilidae, comprising two species: Piophila casei (the cheese fly or ham skipper) and Piophila megastigmata. Both species are carrion feeders with forensic importance, and P. casei is a significant pest of cured meat and cheese products. The genus occurs in the Palearctic and has been introduced to other regions.
Piophilidae
cheese skipper flies, skipper flies, cheese flies, ham skippers, bacon flies
Piophilidae are a family of small Diptera commonly known as cheese skipper or skipper flies. Most species are scavengers specialized on animal products, carrion, and fungi. The family is notable for larvae that possess an unusual leaping ability, achieved by grasping their posterior with mouth hooks and releasing to catapult themselves. Several species have forensic and medical significance, including Piophila casei, a cosmopolitan pest of cured meats and cheeses whose larvae can cause enteric myiasis in humans.
Poecilochirus
Carrion Beetle Mites
Poecilochirus is a Holarctic genus of relatively large mites (0.5–1 mm) in the family Parasitidae. They are phoretic symbionts of burying beetles (Silphidae: Nicrophorus), using beetles for transport to vertebrate carcasses where they feed and reproduce. The genus exhibits extensive cryptic diversity, with molecular studies identifying 24 genetic clusters potentially representing distinct species. Their interaction with beetle hosts is context-dependent, ranging from antagonistic (egg predation, competition) to potentially mutualistic (preying on fly eggs and nematodes).
Prochyliza
Waltzing Flies
Prochyliza is a genus of waltzing flies in the family Piophilidae, containing approximately 11 described species. The genus is best known for the species Prochyliza xanthostoma, which exhibits extreme sexual dimorphism: males possess elongated, torpedo-shaped heads with long antennae, while females have more conventional head proportions. Males engage in ritualized combat and courtship displays on carrion, using their modified heads in territorial battles. The genus occurs primarily in the Nearctic region, with some species distributed in the Palearctic.
Prochyliza nigrimana
Prochyliza nigrimana is a species of cheese skipper in the family Piophilidae, a group known for larvae that can propel themselves by curling into a loop and releasing suddenly. The species was described by Meigen in 1826. Like other members of the genus Prochyliza, it is associated with carrion and decomposing animal matter.
Prochyliza varipes
waltzing fly
Prochyliza varipes is a species of piophilid fly commonly known as the waltzing fly. Males exhibit pronounced sexual dimorphism with elongated, conical heads and long antennae used in territorial combat. The species is associated with carrion, particularly decomposing animal remains. It is most active in early spring, often appearing when melting snow exposes winter-killed animals.
Protophormia
Northern blow flies
Protophormia is a genus of blow flies (Calliphoridae) containing two recognized species: P. atriceps and P. terraenovae. These flies are distributed across Eurasia and Northern America. The genus has been extensively studied in laboratory settings for circadian rhythms, photoperiodism, and reproductive physiology, particularly in P. terraenovae.
Sarcophaga
Common Flesh Flies
Sarcophaga is a large genus of true flies (Diptera) comprising over 1000 species worldwide. These flies are commonly known as flesh flies due to the necrophagous habits of many species. Adults are medium to large-sized with characteristic gray coloration, three longitudinal dark stripes on the thorax, and checkered abdominal patterning. Species identification requires microscopic examination of male genitalia due to uniform external morphology. The genus exhibits diverse life histories including necrophagy, coprophagy, parasitism, and parasitoidism.
Sarcophaga bullata
grey flesh fly
Sarcophaga bullata, commonly known as the grey flesh fly, is a species of flesh fly in the family Sarcophagidae. Adults range from 8 to 17 millimeters in length and are distinguished by grey coloration with three black longitudinal thoracic stripes and a checkered abdominal pattern. The species is larviparous, giving birth to first-instar larvae rather than laying eggs. It is widely distributed across the Nearctic region and has become increasingly important in forensic entomology for post-mortem interval estimation.
Synthesiomyia
Synthesiomyia is a small genus of muscid flies in the family Muscidae. The genus contains at least one well-documented species, Synthesiomyia nudiseta, which has gained forensic importance as a carrion-associated fly in tropical, subtropical, and recently colonized Palearctic regions. Species in this genus exhibit facultative predatory behavior and are used in postmortem interval estimation.
Trox fascifer
hide beetle
Trox fascifer is a species of hide beetle in the family Trogidae, found in western North America including California and British Columbia. As a member of this family, it is associated with decomposing animal remains, particularly dried skin, hair, feathers, and other keratinous materials. The species was described by LeConte in 1854.
Trox floridanus
hide beetle
Trox floridanus is a species of hide beetle in the family Trogidae, first described from Florida in 1957. As a member of this family, it is associated with decomposing animal remains in advanced stages of decay, feeding on dried skin, hair, feathers, and connective tissue. The species is documented from the Nearctic region, specifically Florida, USA. Hide beetles in this genus are cryptic insects that typically become coated in debris and exhibit thanatosis (death-feigning) when disturbed.
Trox foveicollis
hide beetle
Trox foveicollis is a species of hide beetle in the family Trogidae, currently classified under the genus Glyptotrox. The species is known from the central and eastern United States and adjacent Canada. Like other hide beetles, it is associated with decomposing animal remains in advanced stages of decay.
Trox gemmulatus
Hide beetle
Trox gemmulatus is a hide beetle in the family Trogidae, native to arid and semi-arid regions of western North America. These beetles specialize in consuming desiccated animal remains, including dried skin, fur, feathers, and connective tissue. Adults are typically 8–11 mm in length and are known for their rough, debris-caked appearance and thanatosis behavior—feigning death when disturbed. The species is most active during spring and is frequently associated with the final stages of vertebrate decomposition.
Trox scaber
Hide beetle, Scarab beetle
Trox scaber is a small hide beetle in the family Trogidae, measuring 5–8 mm. It has a nearly cosmopolitan distribution and is strongly associated with bird nests, where both adults and larvae develop. The species feeds on dried animal remains including skin, feathers, fur, and small dry carcasses. It is characterized by rough, sculptured elytra and pronotum with distinctive bristly scales, and exhibits a remarkable death-feigning behavior when disturbed.
Trox variolatus
hide beetle
Trox variolatus is a hide beetle in the family Trogidae, occurring across North America from Canada through the United States to Mexico. Like other members of its genus, it specializes in consuming dried animal remains, including skin, fur, feathers, and connective tissue during the final stages of decomposition. The species is typically covered in debris, making it cryptic and difficult to detect.