Numbers
30 spp. in 8 genera in our area (all represented in the guide); ca. 175 spp. in 15 genera worldwide
(1)(2)
Family SILPHIDAE
Aclypea bituberosa, A. opaca
Heterosilpha aenescens, H. ramosa
Necrodes surinamensis
Necrophila americana
Nicrophorus americanus, N. carolinus, N. defodiens, N. guttula, N. hybridus, N. investigator, N. marginatus, N. mexicanus, N. nigrita, N. obscurus, N. orbicollis, N. pustulatus, N. sayi, N. tomentosus, N. vespilloides
Oiceoptoma inaequale, O. noveboracense, O. rugulosum
Oxelytrum discicolle
Thanatophilus coloradensis, T. lapponicus, T. sagax, T. trituberculatus, T. truncatus
Note: The European
Silpha tristis had been recorded in QC, but has apparently disappeared there (none collected since 1995)
Identification
Antennae are distinctive:
For further identification see
(3)(4)(5)(6)Habitat
wide variety of habitats, usually associated with carrion (also found on decomposing mushrooms and fruit); some come to lights
Food
scavengers and carrion feeders;
Aclypea are herbivores and can damage garden plants; there are predatory silphids (not in our area) who eat caterpillars & snails
(1)Remarks
Nicrophorus are among the very few beetles that exhibit parental care
