Insect faunal succession studies on pork carrion in Punjab, India

An insect faunal Succession study on pork carrion was carried out in rural area of district Ludhiana, Punjab, India. Four decomposition stages viz., Fresh, Bloated, Decay and Dry stage were recognized during this experiment. They were separated by taking into account the occurrence and abundance of the specific groups of insects collected from pork as well as condition of pork carrion viz., dehydration, disintegration, flaccidity and desiccation. Fresh stage is recorded with the highest value of species richness and abundance. A total of eighteen species belonging to three orders and ten families were recorded. Diptera, Coleoptera and Hymenoptera were dominating insect fauna on the pork carrion. Four species of Calliphoridae, one of Sarcophagidae, three of Muscidae and one of Anthomyidae were recorded on pork. Five Coleopteran families i.e. Histeridae, Dermestidae, Tenebrionidae, Staphylinidae, Nitidulidae and two species belonging to family Formicidae (Hymenoptera) were also observed.