Test of color preferences of forensically important arthropods

Entomology has proven to be a crucial area of study regarding forensic investigation, as it allows investigators to gather information by studying the insect populations present on a deceased body. Blow flies are among the first organisms to colonize human remains for oviposition. In forensic investigations involving deceased individuals, the presence of specific fly species and instars may be used to establish a timeline of their death. Visual cues, such as color, have been proposed as a key influence on their oviposition behavior, though this aspect of behavior is lesser studied. A color preference can affect the timing of oviposition and the likelihood of certain species to colonize human remains; thus, the role of visual cues may affect minimum postmortem interval (mPMI) calculations. To better understand the impact of color preferences on the distribution of blow fly species among cadavers, we conducted a field study to test for species diversity and density, as well as their sex ratios. We used bottle traps painted red, blue, yellow, and clear to determine the color preferences of blow fly species native to north Georgia. We hypothesized that certain blow fly species would show a distinct preference for particular colors, specifically blue, as previous studies have found they can detect this color best. While data collection and analysis are still ongoing, such findings will suggest whether color is a primary visual cue used by blow flies and if it influences colonization patterns observed at crime scenes.