Which insects are usually the first to arrive at a dead body?

Flies are typically the first insects to arrive at a dead body, making them a crucial focus for forensic entomology. The primary species involved, such as blowflies and houseflies, are attracted to the scent of decomposing organic matter. Their life cycle, which begins with laying eggs on the body, is rapid and can provide key insights into the time of death. The presence and development stage of these flies can thus help forensic experts estimate how long the body has been deceased.

In contrast, while other insects like beetles and moths do arrive at a corpse, they generally come later in the decomposition process compared to flies. This delayed arrival makes them less useful for estimating time of death in the early stages of decomposition. Bugs, which could refer to a broad range of insects, do not specifically point to the key species that are most relevant in forensic investigations regarding initial arrival at a decomposing body. Therefore, the significant role of flies in the early phase of decomposition underscores their importance in crime scene analysis.