PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION ON THE DIVERSITY AND ABUNDANCE OF INSECTS OF FORENSIC IMPORTANCE IN SELECTED LOCATIONS WITHIN BENIN CITY, EDO STATE, NIGERIA USING BAITED BOTTLE TRAPS

ABSTRACT

Forensic entomology utilizes insects to tackle legal issues. Preliminary research was conducted on insect diversity in select Benin City areas employing baited bottle traps. Weekly active sampling occurred from February 15th to March 12th, 2024. Each location used five traps containing 30g of Clarias sp. intestines, exposed for 24 hours before collecting trapped insects. A total of 2655 adult insects from 2 orders, 5 families, and 10 species were identified. In Ekosodin, Musca sp. dominated, accounting for 76.7%, while in the University of Benin,Chrysomyamegacephala was most abundant at 37.4%. Significantly different insect diversity and abundance were observed between the two study locations. Notably, ants exhibited scavenging behavior in University of Benin traps. Prior to applying insects in local legal investigations, additional studies with complete animal carcasses are required to establish comprehensive data on carrion-associated insect diversity, abundance, and succession patterns within the study areas and Local Government Areas.