Does sharp force trauma alter blow fly attraction to, colonization of, and decomposition of vertebrate remains? Holly L. Munro 1 * , Edward B. Mondor 2 & Evan C. Lampert 1 1 Department of Biology, University of North Georgia, 3820 Mundy Mill Road, Oakwood, GA 30566, USA, and 2 Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, PO Box 8042-1, Statesboro, GA 30460, USA Accepted: 14 September 2018 Key words: Diptera, total body score, succession, forensic entomology, stillborn pigs, Calliphoridae, postmortem interval, PMI, PMImin, Lucilia coeruleiviridis Abstract Forensic entomologists use insect evidence to estimate the minimum postmortem interval of human remains. However, how different forms of trauma influence insect attraction to, and colonization of, the body is poorly understood. Our objective was to identify the Calliphoridae community present in the Piedmont region (Georgia, USA), and determine whether postmortem sharp force trauma (none vs. slashed vs. stabbed) altered insect attraction, colonization, and the resulting decomposition rate of stillborn pigs (Suidae). We show that the limited blow fly community is dominated by Lucilia coer- uleiviridis Macquart (Diptera: Calliphoridae). Third instars (L3) of L. coeruleiviridis were found on control pigs at 48 h, slashed pigs at 36 h, and stabbed pigs at 24 h. Decomposition rate, as deter- mined by total body score, was greater in the first 12 h in stabbed pigs, compared to control and slashed pigs. Further experimentation is required to determine the effect of different forms of trauma on insect attraction, colonization, and resulting vertebrate decomposition rates. Introduction Forensic entomologists use the development rates of car- rion-feeding arthropods to estimate the minimum time since death of human decedents (Liu & Greenberg, 1989; Megyesi et al., 2005; Amendt et al., 2006; Monthei, 2009). A minimum postmortem interval (PMImin) estimate, in accumulated degree hours (ADH) or accumulated degree days (ADD), can be quantitatively determined by calculat- ing the thermal units needed for an insect species to develop to different life stages (Amendt et al., 2004, 2006; Anderson, 2014). Whereas a linear ADH/ADD approach is the most commonly used method of calculating the PMImin, other approaches (i.e., physiological and curvi- linear) can be used to generate estimates (Higley & Has- kell, 2010). More recent research has attempted to further refine PMImin estimates by measuring larval length within instars (Kotz  e et al., 2015; Moffatt et al., 2015; Ac ßıkg€ oz & Ac ßıkg€ oz, 2017). Numerous studies have assessed time-dependent pat- terns and stage-based faunal succession of carrion-feeding arthropods (Byrd & Castner, 2010). Few studies support stage-based succession of arthropods, as carrion coloniza- tion has shown to be a continuum of gradual change (Schoenly & Reid, 1987). Flies and beetles are the primary carrion-feeders and substantially impact the decomposi- tion rate (Schoenly, 1987; Greenberg, 1991; Campobasso et al., 2001). Adult Diptera commonly arrive quickly at vertebrate remains after death and oviposition occurs soon after, whereas Coleoptera typically colonize later stages and feed on fly larvae and carrion hide (Campobasso et al., 2001). Carrion tunneling by pioneer colonizers, such as flies, may provide subsequent colonizers, such as beetles, better access to internal tissues. Thus, activity of initial col- onizers may play a significant role in the succession of car- rion-feeding arthropods. This arthropod colonization and feeding accelerates the decomposition process (Anderson & Cervenka, 2001; Campobasso et al., 2001; Amendt et al., 2004). To our knowledge, no prior research has sur- veyed carrion-feeding arthropod communities in the Pied- mont region of Georgia, southeastern USA. Gas and liquids released from autolysis and putrefaction during decomposition act as attractants for necrophilous *Correspondence and present address: Holly L. Munro, D.B. Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, 180 East Green Street, Athens, GA 30602, USA. E-mail: hmunro@uga.edu © 2019 The Netherlands Entomological Society Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata 1–10, 2019 1 DOI: 10.1111/eea.12767