Necrophilous insect succession on rabbit carrion in sand dune habitats in northern France

Six freshly killed rabbit carcasses were exposed in different habitats in t he coastal dune massif of Ambleteuse (northern France) during the spring se asons of 1996 and 1997. In total, 66 arthropod species were collected durin g the the composition of these carcasses, and particular attention was paid to taxa of necrophilic significance. The pattern of insect activity was re corded and is discussed in relation to meteorological conditions. One signi ficant feature in this study was the delay in initial oviposition by flies during 1996, which demonstrates the need for caution in estimation of postm ortem interval by entomological techniques in early spring. Although daily temperatures may be favorable for adult fly activity, flies may be absent b ecause of small population size and low nocturnal temperatures during this period.