Forensically important mites associated with beetles found on decomposing carrion

A decomposing corpse has a rich diversity of insects, and of these most of the studies deliberate on the Diptera while the Coleoptera (beetles) stand neglected. Present study reports on the mites collected from the decomposition sites during succession studies with beetles. Three species belonging to the family Parasitidae viz., Parasitus mustelarum Oudemans (1902) and Poecilochirus sp. collected with bait traps are included. These mite associations are reported to have forensic importance. Deutonymphs of these carried by the silphid Thanatophilus minutus Kraatz (1876) and the histerid Saprinus quadriguttatus (Fabricius, 1798) are described.