An Encounter with Live Maggots at the Wadi Shawkha

 

Growing larger than the adult housefly, these maggots had a feeding frenzy

Down to the bone, the maggots have completely consumed this carcass

More maggots crawling and feeding on the decomposing carcass

Fully fed, these maggots are now leaving the carcass

Maggots marching unto their soil medium to pupate 

The fox carcass found on the Wadi

A close encounter with a fox carcass at the Wadi Shawkha being consumed by maggots

In a recent expedition on the stretch of the Wadi Shawhka, we encountered a distinct stench. The cool, clean, fresh morning breeze was replaced by a strong foul odor. The smell of death! The unmistakable stink of a decomposing animal carcass. As we were marching along the dry banks of the Wadi, the stench got stronger, you can now hear the active buzzing sound of flies flying and landing on the dead animal. It was a dead fox. The fox carcass has become the new stage for the faunal succession for the saprophages and the pioneer feeders, the large filth flies (Blowflies, Houseflies) have now accomplished their part in the feeding frenzy!   

Flies Are The Pioneer Saprophages Species

In the faunal succession of  Saprophages (CARRION FEEDERS) the first to arrive (pioneer species) are the Blow flies (Calliphoridae) and House flies (Muscidae). These flies lay their eggs directly on the carcass and upon hatching the maggots readily devour the decomposing flesh. Next to arrive are the Flesh flies (Sarcophagidae) which compensates for the time by laying live maggots straight into the corpse!

The voracious feeding of the flies leads to the rapid decomposition of the carcass and set the stage for  the feeding of the other species.

For further details on Saprophages and Faunal Succession please check out my August 20, 2021 article.   

The somewhat macabre undertaking of the decomposition of dead animals is TRULY not for the faint of heart and stomach. We have to take note that this is a fundamental process in the recycling of nutrients back into the ecosystem. 

The amazing realization is that "FAUNAL SUCCESSION: reveals to us the awesome chain of organisms involved in the life and death of every creature.

In this encounter, I found my self face-to-face with live maggots voraciously feeding on an animal carcass. The stench was truly overwhelming but my curiosity and determination to observe the carrion feeders up close made my gut stronger and my nose a little less sensitive. 

Finding a fox carcass is a staunch reminder that in the places I conduct my expeditions I am in the middle of the arena of true wildlife!

Awesome creatures! Awesome CREATOR!  

Thanks for your support and careful attention. 

If you need Pest Management Training, Technical Field Support, On-Line and On-Site Consultancy, please feel free to send me an email: odelon.reyes@gmail.com