page_title: Carrion insects
section_title: Adventive species
hierarchical_section_title: Carrion insects / Ecological roles / Adventive species
caption_attribution_description: English: Describing the relationships between carrion insect trophic specializations and decomposing remains, adapted and simplified from K.G.V. Smith, A Manual of Forensic Entomology, 1986
context_page_description: Carrion insects are those insects associated with decomposing remains. The processes of decomposition begin within a few minutes of death. Decomposing remains offer a temporary, changing site of concentrated resources which are exploited by a wide range of organisms, of which arthropods are often the first to arrive and the predominant exploitive group. However, not all arthropods found on or near decomposing remains will have an active role in the decay process.
context_section_description: Adventive species may or may not play a significant role in the decomposition of remains.  Arthropods in this ecological role are not necessarily attracted to decaying remains, but use it as an extension of their natural habitats.  Adventive species originate within the vegetation and soils surrounding decomposing remains.  These insects may visit remains from time to time, or use them for concealment, but their presence can only be accounted for by chance.  They may also become predators of necrophagous species found at remains.  Adventive species include springtails, centipedes and spiders.
  The diagram below shows the relationship between each ecological role and a site of decaying remains.
caption: Trophic level relationships between ecological roles of carrion insects. Image adapted from Smith (1986).
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