Week 2: 2-3 June 2007: Huge Maggot Exodus

An incredible sequence of maggot migration...

3 June 2007: Rain has created a situation where maggots are creating large amounts of 'froth' around the edge of the bear.

3 June 2007: Maggots are moving in an enormous exodus from the bear. We began to see this to a smaller degree several days ago, but now they are grouping together in a virtual maggot swarm.

3 June 2007: A close-up of maggots on the trail...

3 June 2007: A maggot's-eye view of the exodus of the carcass. The maggots remaining on the bear are probably somewhat younger. Many early instars of blow flies are still present on the carcass. There will probably be another substantial mass movement of maggots of the carcass in upcoming days.

3 June 2007: During the study, we have been keeping track of maggot development. At the bottom is a mature maggot. Above that is a newly formed pupa (hours old), followed by a darker puparium a day or so old, followed by progressively darker (and older) puparia.

2 June 2007: In the morning, many maggots are mature and actively moving. This appears to be in preparation for a mass migration off the carcass. The stench is still horrendous, and the vegetation is dying around the bear.

2 June 2007: The first real "wave" of maggots leaving the carcass. Many maggots continue to grow an develop on the carcass. Adult flies (Calliphoridae, Muscidae, Sepsidae, Piophilidae) are still active on and around the bear.

2 June 2007: A maggot's- eye view of the trail...