First record of Diamesus osculans (Vigors, 1825) (Coleoptera: Silphidae) colonization on a human corpse

• Main Authors: Ivorra, Tania, Rahimi, Razuin, Goh, Thary Gazi, Azmiera, Nurul, Nur-Aliah, Natasha Azmi, Low, Van Lun, Heo, Chong Chin
• Format: Article
• Published: Springer 2024
• Subjects: R Medicine (General)
• Online Access: http://eprints.um.edu.my/46053/; https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-023-03023-z
• Institution: Universiti Malaya

A partially skeletonized human corpse was found in bushes in Selangor, Malaysia in June 2020. Entomological evidence was collected during the autopsy and sent to the Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) for minimum postmortem interval (PMImin) analysis. Standard protocols were applied when processing preserved and live insect specimens of both larval and pupal stages. Entomological evidence revealed that the corpse was colonized by Chrysomya nigripes Aubertin, 1932 (Diptera: Calliphoridae) and Diamesus osculans (Vigors, 1825) (Coleoptera: Silphidae). Chrysomya nigripes was chosen as the PMImin indicator as this fly species is an earlier colonizer compared to D. osculans beetle larvae which their presence is the indicative of late stage of decomposition. For the present case, the pupae of C. nigripes were the oldest insect evidence collected and based on the available developmental data, the estimated minimum PMI was established between 9 and 12 days. It is noteworthy to highlight that this is the first record of D. osculans colonization on a human corpse.