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Peer-reviewedCC BYInsects

Contribution to the Knowledge of Flesh Flies (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) Attracted to Baits of Decomposing Animal Tissue in Athens, Greece: Ecological Patterns with Potential Forensic Entomology Applications.

  • Gabriella Dimitra Rakopoulou1
  • Sotiris Alexiou2
  • Rebecca Baldwin1
  • Georgette Kluiters1
  • Ian R Dadour3,4
4 affiliations
  1. 1Entomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA.
  2. 2Korinthian Museum of Natural History, Isthmion 201, 20100 Korinthos, Greece.
  3. 3School of Medical, Molecular & Forensic Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia.
  4. 4School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA 6027, Australia.
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Abstract

The current study details the first species list of flesh flies (Diptera: Sarcophagidae), collected using carrion baited traps at three locations within Athens, Greece. The research aims to understand the local flesh fly fauna and discuss their potential use in forensic applications. Employing traps baited with beef liver, fish, and chicken stomach, the present study assessed the efficacy of these different bait types in attracting Sarcophagidae. The study elucidates species diversity, richness, species assemblage, abundance, and bait preference. A total of 1125 Sarcophaga spp. specimens were captured, of which 241 were males, representing 12 species. The predominant species were Sarcophaga africa (Wiedemann) and Sarcophaga melanura Meigen. Overall, among the identified males, beef liver attracted the highest number and greatest species diversity of flesh flies, followed by fish and finally chicken stomach. Identification of this insect group contributes to the discipline of Forensic Entomology in Greece by providing a comprehensive database of local flesh fly species associated with carrion that may provide information about the circumstances concerning the time since death (TSD) in crime scene investigations.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{rakopoulou2026contribution,
  title = {{Contribution to the Knowledge of Flesh Flies (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) Attracted to Baits of Decomposing Animal Tissue in Athens, Greece: Ecological Patterns with Potential Forensic Entomology Applications.}},
  author = {Gabriella Dimitra Rakopoulou and Sotiris Alexiou and Rebecca Baldwin and Georgette Kluiters and Ian R Dadour},
  journal = {Insects},
  year = {2026},
  month = sep,
  doi = {10.3390/insects17101000},
  url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42940911},
  note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Contribution to the Knowledge of Flesh Flies (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) Attracted to Baits of Decomposing Animal Tissue in Athens, Greece: Ecological Patterns with Potential Forensic Entomology Applications.
AU  - Gabriella Dimitra Rakopoulou
AU  - Sotiris Alexiou
AU  - Rebecca Baldwin
AU  - Georgette Kluiters
AU  - Ian R Dadour
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/09/27
JO  - Insects
DO  - 10.3390/insects17101000
UR  - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42940911
AB  - The current study details the first species list of flesh flies (Diptera: Sarcophagidae), collected using carrion baited traps at three locations within Athens, Greece. The research aims to understand the local flesh fly fauna and discuss their potential use in forensic applications. Employing traps baited with beef liver, fish, and chicken stomach, the present study assessed the efficacy of these different bait types in attracting Sarcophagidae. The study elucidates species diversity, richness, species assemblage, abundance, and bait preference. A total of 1125 Sarcophaga spp. specimens were captured, of which 241 were males, representing 12 species. The predominant species were Sarcophaga africa (Wiedemann) and Sarcophaga melanura Meigen. Overall, among the identified males, beef liver attracted the highest number and greatest species diversity of flesh flies, followed by fish and finally chicken stomach. Identification of this insect group contributes to the discipline of Forensic Entomology in Greece by providing a comprehensive database of local flesh fly species associated with carrion that may provide information about the circumstances concerning the time since death (TSD) in crime scene investigations.
SN  - 2075-4450
ER  -