This is the first report of an ongoing study on arthropofauna of forensic importance in Callao, Peru using a baby pig (Sus scrofa Linneaus, 1758) on land as a model to determine the arthropofauna over 84 days of weekly survey between 17 July and 02 October 2 000. A total of 4,405 specimens were collected belonging to five orders and eight families: Cochliomyia macellaria (Fabricius, 1775) (Diptera, Calliphoridae) (81.62%); Dermestes maculatus (De Geer, 1774) (Coleoptera, Dermestidae) (16.35%); Fannia canicularis (Linnaeus, 1761) (Diptera, Muscidae) (0.04%); Saprinus aeneus (Fabricius, 1775) (Coleoptera, Histeridae) (1.48%); Necrobia rufipes (De Geer, 1775) (Coleoptera, Cleridae) (0.45%); Linepithema humile (Mayr, 1868) (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) (0.02%); Porcellio laevis Latreille, 1804 (Isopoda, Porcellionidae) (0.02%) and Hadruroides lunatus (L. Koch, 1867) (Scorpionida, Iuridae) (0.02%). Larvae accounted for 76%, pupae 14% and adults 10% of the total collected. The arthropods were into three: necrophages (98.01%), predators (1.95%) and omnivorous (0.04%). C. macellaria were significantly higher during the decayed stage; by contrast D. maculatus was much higher in dry remains stage. The highest diversity with the Shannon-Weaver (H') and Pielou (J) index were found during the advanced decayed stage. The absence of species of genus Chrysomyia Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830 is discussed.
Calliphoridae; Coleoptera; Diptera; forensic entomology
