Publisher's Synopsis
Our study was carried out in an open field in Sétif. Five corpses were sacrificed. Their decomposition rates were not similar, and there was a diverse succession of necrophagous insects. A total of 50 specimens were captured, divided into 18 families. Calliphoridae and Sarcophagidae diptera were the first colonisers and the predominant ones. Adults and larvae were collected. Climatic data were recorded and the MPI was calculated using the accumulated degree days and degree hours methods. The first colonisers were Diptera of the Calliphoridae family. Calliphora vicina was abundant during the early stages of decomposition. MPI calculations gave an accurate estimate of the date of death. The results obtained in this study can help us to improve our fundamental knowledge and to understand the relationship between the diversity of the necrophagous entomofauna of Algeria.
