Unexpected feeding behaviour of the cotton stainer Dysdercus albofasciatus (Hemiptera: Pyrrhocoridae) in baits of forensic samplings

Dysdercus albofasciatus, Berg 1878 (Hemiptera: Pyrrhocoridae) is a phytophagous bug native to South America and present in Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. It is of economic interest as a pest of cotton Gossypium spp. and other Malvaceae. Last summer, in Buenos Aires province in Argentina, it has been spotted in forensic samples, rapidly colonising decomposing meat baits and feeding on them. In this article, we discuss possible causes that explain this opportunistic and occasional behaviour of D. albofasciatus when feeding on forensic baits during a prolonged dry period. This work is of great relevance since it presents the first record of this bug in forensic samples of decomposing meat baits, which it colonises rapidly and feeds on.In view of this curious record, we discussed the possible causes that could explain this behaviour. In this way, we analysed the climatic conditions of the region where the event was recorded. We were able to suggest that the high temperatures and lack of rainfall in the area generated water stress in the plants, which in this situation would have fewer resources available for their development and, consequently, would represent a food source of lower nutritional value for the bugs. In this case, the availability of a food resource rich in amino acids and with high humidity, such as decomposing meat bait, led to opportunistic and occasional feeding behaviour by D. albofasciatus.