Abstract
Simple SummaryNumerous studies report a decline in insect biodiversity and biomass on a global scale. Since forensic entomology relies on the presence of insects, the question of whether this discipline will be or already is affected by such a decrease is not only posed to investigative authorities and the public, but also to the scientific community. While the data does indeed provide overwhelming evidence of insect decline, even if the methods of evaluation and data pooling are occasionally questioned, only a few studies deal with forensically relevant insects. These few data do hardly prove a decrease in forensically relevant insect species so far. However, one factor driving insect decline is likely to have also a strong influence on necrophagous insects in the future: climate change.Recent reports have shown a dramatic loss in insect species and biomass. Since forensic entomology relies on the presence of insects, the question is whether this decline effects the discipline. The present review confirms that numerous studies document insect population declines or even extinction, despite the fact that the rates of decline and the methods used to demonstrate it are still much debated. However, with regard to a decline in necrophagous insects, there is little or only anecdotal data available. A hypothetical decrease in species diversity and population density in necrophagous insects could lead to a delayed colonization of dead bodies and a modified succession pattern due to the disappearance or new occurrence of species or their altered seasonality. Climate change as one of the drivers of insect decline will probably also have an impact on necrophagous insects and forensic entomology, leading to reduced flight and oviposition activity, modified growth rates and, therefore, an over- or underestimation of a minimum postmortem interval. Global warming with increased temperature and extreme weather requires a better understanding about necrophagous insect responses to environmental variations. Here, transgeneration effects in particular should be analysed in greater depth as this will help to understand rapid adaptation and plasticity in insects of forensic importance.
Highlights
Nature seems to be losing, as a current United Nations report estimates that more than one million species are at risk of extinction in coming decades [1]
This paper summarizes the current knowledge of this topic and discusses potential issues in forensic entomology
In the context of fast climate change and increase in temperature fluctuation and unpredictability, a better knowledge about response to environmental variations through such transgeneration effect may help to understand the ability of rapid adaptation and plasticity [53,54]—an issue which so far has been neglected in forensic entomology
Summary
Nature seems to be losing, as a current United Nations report estimates that more than one million species are at risk of extinction in coming decades [1]. While such statements in recent years have mostly been based on summary studies of the most diverse vertebrate groups (e.g., [2,3]), insects have only become the focus of (public) interest in recent years. Since forensic entomology relies on the presence and functionality of (mostly necrophagous) insects, the question is whether this massive loss of insects calls into question the applicability or flawless performance of this particular discipline. This paper summarizes the current knowledge of this topic and discusses potential issues in forensic entomology
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