UNLABELLED: The study aimed to analyze the entomological material collected during 13 autopsies performed on the unidentified cadavers revealed at different stages of decay in the Upper Silesia Region (Poland) over 2016-2022. During the preparation of human tissues for genetic identification, we revealed larvae, puparia, and adult insects in previously undescribed locations: costal cartilage, femur nutrient canals (foramen nutrients), and tooth cavities. The taxonomical assessment was done using morphological examination or DNA barcoding, where necessary. Based on our observations, we conclude that the apical constriction, foramen, and cavities may serve as migration paths inside teeth, and the femur nutrient canals to the bone marrow. The study also revealed that the beetle Necrobia ruficollis (Fabricius, 1775) and the moth family Pyralidae Latreille, 1802 (Phycitinae) moths can form pupal chambers inside the costal cartilage, indicating that these insects can complete their life cycle inside this cache. We believe that the newly reported locations of carrion insects in human remains may be relevant to forensic entomology, as they provide new opportunities to collect insect evidence. KEY POINTS: Costal cartilage may serve as an occasional cache for adults and immatures of carrion insects.Tooth cavities and apical foramen may serve as entryways for necrophilous insect larvae.Insect larvae use nutrient canals as migratory pathways to the bone marrow.

2nd Faculty of Medicine Charles University Prague Prague Czech Republic

Centre for Advanced Technologies Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań Poznań Poland

Department of Ecology and Biogeography Faculty of Biological and Veterinary Sciences Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń Lwowska Toruń Poland

Department of Ecology Faculty of Environmental Sciences Czech University of Life Sciences Prague Prague Suchdol Czech Republic

Department of Forensic Medicine and Forensic Toxicology Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice Medical University of Silesia in Katowice Medyków Katowice Poland

Department of Forensic Medicine Bulovka University Hospital Prague Czech Republic

Faculty of Science Charles University Prague Prague Czech Republic

Forensic DNA Service Prague Czech Republic

Laboratory of Criminalistics Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań Poznań Poland

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