Predator behavior of Chrysomya albiceps (Fabricius) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) on human corpses

This study was conducted to determine the effect of predator behavior of C. albiceps larvae on cadavers, against other species larvae, on the estimation of the time of death. 30-60 pieces of larvae with different height and look are collected from each of five cadavers in which there are C. albiceps larvae. After height measurement of the entomologic evidences were collected from the cadaver, the determination at family level was made. Chrysomya albiceps (Fabricius) species were found in 5 out of 16 samples analyzed between September 2006 and October 2007. Among these five samples, Chrysomya albiceps species were seen in only three, and in the other two samples dipteral species are found. Chrysomya albiceps is seen in only two samples out of the five samples different dipteral species, however in the other 3 samples no other species are found. This can be explained by the aggression of Chrysomya albiceps to the larvae of the other species. Due to this characteristic, mistakes can be made during the estimation of the time of death in samples where Chrysomya albiceps species are seen.