Necrobia beetle larva, SEM

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Necrobia beetle larva, SEM

Ham beetle (Necrobia sp.) larva, coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). Forensic entomologists study this beetle because it feeds on dead bodies. The beetle feeds on dried meat, so it does not feed on a corpse until around 2-4 months after death when the body is beginning to dry out. This larva hatched from an egg laid by a female beetle, and the larva also feeds on the greasy meats of a decaying body. When full-grown it crawls away and spins a cocoon in which it pupates into the adult form and lies dormant over the winter. The adult form emerges in the summer. This seasonal activity can help provide evidence for the season of death. Magnification unknown

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Media ID 6460848

© VOLKER STEGER/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Bacon Beetle Crime Research Death Decay Decomposition Forensic Entomology Forensics Insecta Larva Under Side Underneath

EDITORS COMMENTS
This print showcases the intricate details of a Necrobia beetle larva, captured through a coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). The Ham beetle (Necrobia sp. ) larva is of great interest to forensic entomologists due to its unique feeding habits on deceased bodies. Unlike other insects, this beetle waits until approximately 2-4 months after death when the body starts to dry out before it begins its feast. The larva in this image hatched from an egg laid by a female beetle and can be seen devouring the greasy meats of a decaying body. Once fully grown, it embarks on an extraordinary journey - crawling away and spinning a cocoon where it undergoes pupation into its adult form. During winter, it remains dormant within the cocoon until emerging as an adult during summer. The seasonal activity of these beetles plays a crucial role in determining the time of death and aids in forensic investigations. By studying their presence or absence at different times throughout the year, experts can gather valuable evidence regarding the seasonality of deaths. This remarkable photograph not only highlights nature's intricacies but also sheds light on important aspects of crime research and forensic entomology. It serves as a reminder that even tiny creatures like these Necrobia beetles play significant roles in unraveling mysteries surrounding death and decomposition.

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