Maggot respiration rates for three forensically important species: Lucilia sericata, Cochliomyia macellaria, and Sarcophaga bullata

During animal decomposition the fate of carcass biomass remains largely uncertain. The three avenues of biomass conversion (into soil, air, or decomposer) depend on the action of different types of decomposers, including insects. That insects accelerate rates of animal decomposition has long been recognized, but how insects influence biomass partitioning is not established. Consequently, as part of our on-going investigations into biomass fate during decomposition, we are determining respiration rates for different maggot species and life stages. Additionally, the influence of maggot assembly size (maggot masses) and temperatures on respiration must be considered. Here, we report results of this on-going research.