1. Succession
Fresh
Bloated 1 2 3
Post-Decay
Dry
Decay 4 5 6

2. Five Stages of Decomposition Fueled by Insect Activity.
A. Fresh Stage
B. Bloated Stage
C. Decay Stage
D. Post-decay Stage
E. Dry Stage

3. Stage 1 of Decay
7:16

4. Fresh Stage (Days 1-2) Blowflies have detected the cadaver
Eggs are being laid, often around the eye, nostrils, mouth, followed by anus or genital openings
Eggs

5. Stage 2: Bloat Stage

6. Bloated Stage (Day 2-6) Cadaver begins to swell and putrefy
Flesh flies appear
Small maggots are feeding
Putrefaction begins. Gasses produced by anaerobic bacteria inflate the abdomen.
Pig’s eye

9. Stage 3: Active Decay

10. Decay Stage (Days 5-11) Adult blowflies no longer attracted.
Large masses of maggots feeding externally and internally
Predators and parasitoids of maggots arrive
Abdominal wall breaks allowing gasses to escape. Carcass deflates.

11. Stage 4:Dry Decay

12. Post-Decay Stage (Days 10-25)
Cadaver is drying out. Large maggots are leaving or have left
In dry habitats, remains are skin, cartilage, and bones.
In wet habitats, wet, viscous material in the soil under the remains.

13. Dry Stage Skin and bones
Insects with the ability to digest keratin (clothes moths and dermestid beetles).

14. Stages of Decay Video

16. Let’s give it a try …
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17. The End