Effect of Intraspecific Larval Aggregation and Diet Type on Life-History Traits of Dermestes maculatus and Dermestes caninus (Coleoptera: Dermestidae): Species of Forensic Importance

Introduction: Numerous studies have examined the effect of abiotic factors on development and survival Dermestes their importance for forensic entomology. maculatus is one most known beetle species associated with corpses D. caninus has little biological information available no case report records. To better understand life-history traits those we evaluated impact diet type intraspecific larval density. Methods: Adult beetles were collected from human remains colonies kept under controlled conditions (27.0 ± 1.0 °C, 55.0% RU, 12:12 L:D) F1 generation was used to collect eggs. Newly emerged larvae separated according treatments, being combination density (1, 15, 30 individuals), food (dried dog or dried pork) contact (with without). We factorial-ANOVA test individual combined both densities dependent variables, followed by post-hoc Tukey test. Pearson correlations carried out evaluate relationship between parameters each in treatment. Results: Pork-based positively affected fitness, ca. 1.1 (D. caninus) 1.7 maculatus) times bigger heavier than food. Diet also impacted time species. Conclusions: Data generated through current study serve as a foundation potential application this an indicator colonization relations minPMI. However, validation still needed determine accuracy precision these calculations.