All insects matter: a review of 160 entomology cases from 1993 to 2007 in Switzerland-Part II (Coleoptera, Hymenoptera, and Lepidoptera)

Abstract

This article is the second part of the series analyzing the families recorded from 160 real cases in Switzerland between 1993 and 2007, focusing on species from orders Coleoptera, Hymenoptera, and Lepidoptera. A total of 46 distinct taxonomical units belonging to 15 families were identified. The most prominent was subfamily Silphinae with 9 recorded species, which was also the most dominant group in the dataset, occurring in 17.6% of all cases. It was closely followed by Dermestidae (12.6%), Histeridae (12.6%), and Staphylinidae (excluding Silphinae) (11.9%). The study highlights the importance and utility of a number of lesser-known species, at least in a forensic context, and gives insight into their ecology. We firmly believe that all insects matter. While not every species may become widely used, the more we learn about them, the greater the benefits for future criminal investigations.

Keywords: Coleoptera; Switzerland; checklist; forensic entomology; investigation; real case; species composition.