Ham Beetle
By: Kate and Marti
Basic Characteristics
Species: Rufipes
Size: 3.5-7 mm (adult size)Shape: Straight sided, surface has indentations called punctures
Color:
- Shiny, metallic green/black with red legs and antennae.
- Light colored base of shoulders
- Larvae has creamy color body with violet/grey upper surface
Diet
- Feed on infesting larvae of blow flies, dermestidae, and piophilidae
- Adults are surface feeders, larvae bore into dry meat
- Red leg ham beetle attack bones, cheese, meats, guano, bone meal, etc.
Geographic Location
- Throughout North America
- Summers in the North
- Other seasons in the South
- Preferred Temperature: 86-93.2 degrees Fahrenheit
- Can survive outdoors but prefers indoor
Life Cycle
- Complete Metamorphisis
- Eggs laid on the food material (hatch in 4-5 days)
- Larvae goes through 3-4 instars (21 days)
- In the last instar spins, a cacoon forms in which pupation occurs (20 days)
- takes 6 weeks or longer depending on conditions
- Under optimum conditions, the rate of population increase is 25 times per month.
Time Appearing on the Body
- Arrives late on the body- around 3-6 months after death
- This is the stage of Dry Decay
- They feed on the dry skin and tendons of the body
Court Case
The Shakira Johnson Case:
- Shakira Johnson, an 11 year old girl from Cleveland, was murdered by a suspected man.
- Forensic entomologists proved that the suspected man was in prison at the time of Shakira's death.
- Ham beetles and cheese-skipper flies, both late arrivers, helped provide time of death information.
Citations
James F. McCarty, The Plain Dealer. "New Evidence in Shakira Johnson Case." N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Apr. 2015.
"Necrobia Rufipes." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 25 Apr. 2015.
"Offering You Only The Best!" Richard M Heagy Foods -Deli Meats, Cheeses, Dairy & Frozen Foods. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Apr. 2015.
"Red-legged Ham Beetle (Necrobia Rufipes)." Red-legged Ham Beetle (Necrobia Rufipes). N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Apr. 2015.
"Species Necrobia Rufipes - Red-legged Ham Beetle." Species Necrobia Rufipes. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Apr. 2015.