Sampling necrophagous and predatory insects using different lures in a Mexican pine forest

Abstract

Sampling with a single bait as a lure is a commonly used practice in studies of necrophilous insectcommunities. Here, we determined if there were differences in necrophilous insect species richness and abundancewhen attracted to 4 types of carrion: squid, bird, lizard, and mouse. A comparison between necrophagous and predatoryinsects was also made to detect whether they differ in their abundance, depending on the bait used. Thirteen species ofSilphidae, Staphylinidae (Coleoptera), Calliphoridae, and Sarcophagidae (Diptera) were collected in the baited traps;no single bait was able to attract all species. The abundances of 5 species varied significantly depending on the typeof bait used. Predatory insects were less abundant than necrophagous insects in lizard and mouse baits. These resultsshow that an evaluation of the structure of a necrophilous insect community can depend on the bait used for sampling.