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Table 1 Compilation of five different stages of decomposition in correlation with dermestid beetle occurrence

From: The attraction of virgin female hide beetles (Dermestes maculatus) to cadavers by a combination of decomposition odour and male sex pheromones

Stage

Time

Description

Occurrence of dermestids

 

[days p.m.a]

  

fresh

~ 0 - 2

autolytic processes

 

bloated

~ 2 - 6

inflated abdomen through

 
  

gaseous byproducts of putrefaction

 

post-bloating

~ 5 - 11

skin rupture and release of trapped

arriving of adults in late post-bloating

  

putrefactive gases

 

advanced

~ 10 - 25

most of the flesh has disappeared,

predominance of adults and first larvae

decay

 

some soft tissue remains in the

 
  

abdomen

 

dry remains

~ > 25

only bones, hair and remains of

predominance of larvae

  

dried-out skin

completion of larval development

  1. adays post mortem.
  2. Data are modified after Powers [6], Centeno et al. [7], Goff [2] and Anderson & Vanlaerhoven [8].