Entomologia

“The horses in the pasture fidgeted with anticipation when they heard Mr. Johnson’s lawn mower nearby. Little did anyone know that soon one of them would end up dead as a result.” By Lisa Carloye, Washington State University
Stephen Bambara, NC State University
(Adapted by S. Bambara from “Of Maggots and Murder” by L. Carloye)

This is a hands-on lesson in which 4-H’ers evaluate evidence from four animal death scenarios. For each scenario, they are given a sample of simulated maggots that were collected from a fictional corpse and are asked to figure out the postmortem interval in which the insects developed and determine whether foul play was involved in the death. This exercise is adapted from a lesson used by college biology teachers. Life Skills:
Critical thinking, problem solving, teamwork, communicating, learning to learn.
Purposes:
1. To appreciate the practical application of entomology in society.
2. To learn the concept of “succession” of insect life in the role of decomposition.
Time:
Four lessons requiring approximately 20 minutes each.
Also included at the end is an optional, related activity involving monitoring insect succession in a decaying chicken gizzard over several weeks. Review the activity to see if it can be useful or applicable to your program.

Flies around the corpse of a cardinal.

2

Crime Solving Insects

Materials You’ll Need:
• Life history of flies sheet (provided, Table 1, page 13, one for each team)
• Ecological information sheet (Table 2, page14, one for each team)
• Police report information sheets for Cases 1-4 (provided, one set for each team, pages 9-12)
• Rulers measuring millimeters (one for each team)
• Colored pipe cleaners—white, blue, yellow, pink, and brown
• Plastic sandwich bags filled with appropriately measured lengths of colored pipe cleaners (1 for each case, 4 for each team)
• Scissors (one) to cut pipe cleaners
• Forceps or tweezers for each team (optional)
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