Occurrence of Hymenoptera on pig carcasses in a tropical rainforest in Central Amazonia, Brazil

Abstract

Hymenotpera species may act as necrophagous, consuming decomposing tissues, as predators, when they feed on other immature and adult insects, and parasites of larvae and pupae of dipterans and coleopterans that colonize the carcasses. In this way, the fauna of four Hymenoptera families (Vespidae, Apidae, Icheneumonidae and Formicidae) associated to different decomposition stages of pig carcasses partially submerged in water stream (igarapé) of the terra-firme Amazonian forest are presented. Formicidae were the most abundant insects with 957 individuals collected all directly in the carcass, followed by Vespidae (143), Apidae (88) and Ichneumonidae with nine individuals collected in the suspended trap. Due to the aspect of the injuries caused by some Hymenoptera to the carcasses, they may be mistaken as skin ulcers, burns or abrasions, which may mislead a forensic investigation.