Day 5: 20 June 2009

Due to heavy rain this morning there was little activity by adult blow flies while collecting, but the size of the egg masses on the carcasses continue to grow, indicating that blow flies are still present.

At the farm large maggots were collected from each pig for preservation and for rearing to the adult stage for identification. Carrion beetles were collected from pigs 5 and 6, the pigs moved from CSU to the farm. Due to the rain no adult flies were sampled.

At CSU the pigs are bloated and a few adult blow flies are inspecting the carcasses. Although no beetles were collected, the largest maggots present were collected from each pig for preservation and rearing. Adult flies were captured with a sweep net from one of the pigs.

Pig 1. Location: University Farm. Eggs on the hind legs, rear and neck regions of the carcass (Above). Maggots actively feeding on the face, which is decomposing quickly (Below).

Pig 5. Location: University Farm. Most egg masses are on the head and neck and appear as thick white clumps on the carcass (Above). Close up of a large egg mass on the cheek with adult blow fly; maggots feeding in mouth and nose (Below).

Pig 3. Location: CSU. Maggots feeding on facial tissue.

Pig 4. Location: CSU. Ants are present on the eyeball and small egg masses have been laid on the face (Above). Small maggots were collected from the mouth. A blow fly is examining the abscess on the hind leg, which continues to swell (Below).

Submitted by Krystal Hans, MS student, Cleveland State University, 6 July 2009.