Necrophagous behavior of wasps, highlighted for Agelaia pallipes Olivier, 1792 (Hymenoptera: Vespidae), in Sus scrofa Linnaeus, 1758 pig carcasses

• Grant number: 24/03800-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: July 01, 2024
• End date: June 30, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Zoology - Applied Zoology
• Principal Investigator: Claudio José von Zuben
• Grantee: Felipe Alexandre
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IB). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Rio Claro. Rio Claro , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Despite its possible effects on the decomposition, little is known about the behavior and dynamics of necrophagous social wasps on carcasses. In part, this is due to the fact that the bibliography related to Hymenoptera in forensic studies is scarce. Some authors describepredatory behaviors of Polybia ignobilis Lepeletier, 1836 directed atflies on carcass; however, no studies were found that describe wasp scavenging behaviors in a systematic way. Thus, it is necessary to refine research on Hymenoptera in forensic entomology, aiming to obtain information that may be useful in the investigation of a corpse that may have been the victim of a crime.