Thermal-summation
Guides
Sciodrepoides watsoni
Sciodrepoides watsoni is a small (~3 mm) brown necrophagous beetle in the family Leiodidae with Holarctic distribution. It is notable for its utility in forensic entomology, where thermal summation models for its development have been established to estimate post-mortem intervals. The species completes development through egg, three larval instars, and pupa to adult, with head capsule width serving as the most reliable character for instar determination. It has been successfully reared in laboratory conditions at temperatures between 15°C and 25°C.