Dipterans are excellent insects to serve as forensic indicators to determine the postmortem interval of a human corpse. Therefore, we undertook a study to identify the major dipterans that are attracted to and develop in vertebrate carcasses. To determine what dipterans occur in Korea, chicken carcasses were placed in various habitats including the forest, open field, stream bank, greenhouse, rooftop, rice paddy, Chinese cabbage field, vacant hut, and pond at different times of the year. The dipterans were collected at various time intervals after placement in each habitat until the end of decomposition and identified. Our results showed that 49 identified and unidentified dipteran species from 36 genera in 19 families were collected from the carcasses. Habitat placement influenced the number of species isolated from the carcasses. For example, 39 species were collected from the forest habitat, 28 species from the open field, stream bank, or greenhouse each, 16 species from a vacant home, and 12 species from the pond. The dipteran species that were collected from all habitats were Phaenicia sericata, Lucilia illustris, and Lucilia sp. in the family Calliphoridae and Boettcherisca peregrine in the family Sarcophagidae. Other dipteran species that were isolated depended on carcass placement that is, fewer dipteran species were observed from carcasses in the backpack and much more species were recorded from unburied carcasses than buried carcasses. P. sericata, L. illustris, Lucilia sp., B. peregrine and an unidentified sarcophagid species were observed year round, but some dipterans showed seasonal differences.

Dipterans are excellent insects to serve as forensic indicators to determine the postmortem interval of a human corpse. Therefore, we undertook a study to identify the major dipterans that are attracted to and develop in vertebrate carcasses. To determine what dipterans occur in Korea, chicken carcasses were placed in various habitats including the forest, open field, stream bank, greenhouse, rooftop, rice paddy, Chinese cabbage field, vacant hut, and pond at different times of the year. The dipterans were collected at various time intervals after placement in each habitat until the end of decomposition and identified. Our results showed that 49 identified and unidentified dipteran species from 36 genera in 19 families were collected from the carcasses. Habitat placement influenced the number of species isolated from the carcasses. For example, 39 species were collected from the forest habitat, 28 species from the open field, stream bank, or greenhouse each, 16 species from a vacant home, and 12 species from the pond. The dipteran species that were collected from all habitats were Phaenicia sericata, Lucilia illustris, and Lucilia sp. in the family Calliphoridae and Boettcherisca peregrine in the family Sarcophagidae. Other dipteran species that were isolated depended on carcass placement that is, fewer dipteran species were observed from carcasses in the backpack and much more species were recorded from unburied carcasses than buried carcasses. P. sericata, L. illustris, Lucilia sp., B. peregrine and an unidentified sarcophagid species were observed year round, but some dipterans showed seasonal differences.