Identification, Images, & Information
For Insects, Spiders & Their Kin
For the United States & Canada
 

Register · Log In
HomeGuideID RequestRecentFrassForumsDonateHelp
Clickable Guide
Moths Butterflies Flies Caterpillars Flies Dragonflies Flies Mantids Cockroaches Bees and Wasps Walkingsticks Earwigs Ants Termites Hoppers and Kin Hoppers and Kin Beetles True Bugs Fleas Grasshoppers and Kin Ticks Spiders Scorpions Centipedes Millipedes

Calendar
BugGuide Gathering
Pack Forest
Washington State
July 10-12, 2009
Details...

Photos from the 2009 gathering
 
Photos from the 2008 gathering in Tennessee
 
Photos from the 2007 gathering in Minnesota

TaxonomyBrowse
Info
ImagesLinksBooksData
Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Beetles (Coleoptera) » Water, Rove, Scarab, Longhorn, Leaf and Snout Beetles (Polyphaga) » Rove, Carrion and Fungus Beetles (Staphylinoidea) » Carrion Beetles (Silphidae)

Family Silphidae - Carrion Beetles

Classification · Numbers · Identification · Habitat · Life Cycle · Print References · Internet References · Works Cited
Necrophila americana American burying beetle - Nicrophorus americanus Burying Beetle - Nicrophorus pustulatus Sexton Beetle with Mites at Lights - Nicrophorus orbicollis American Carrion Beetle - Necrophila americana Sow bug ?? Unknown. Please help - Nicrophorus orbicollis Northern Carrion Beetle - Thanatophilus lapponicus
Classification
Kingdom Animalia (Animals)
Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Class Insecta (Insects)
Order Coleoptera (Beetles)
Suborder Polyphaga (Water, Rove, Scarab, Longhorn, Leaf and Snout Beetles)
Superfamily Staphylinoidea (Rove, Carrion and Fungus Beetles)
Family Silphidae (Carrion Beetles)
Numbers
30 endemic species on record for North America north of Mexico, all of which are imaged here in Bugguide.
Family SILPHIDAE
Genus Aclypea
Aclypea bituberosa
Aclypea opaca
Genus Heterosilpha
Heterosilpha aenescens
Heterosilpha ramosa
Genus Necrodes
Necrodes surinamensis
Genus Necrophila
Necrophila americana
Genus Nicrophorus
Nicrophorus americanus
Nicrophorus carolinus
Nicrophorus defodiens
Nicrophorus guttula
Nicrophorus hybridus
Nicrophorus investigator
Nicrophorus marginatus
Nicrophorus mexicanus
Nicrophorus nigrita
Nicrophorus obscurus
Nicrophorus orbicollis
Nicrophorus pustulatus
Nicrophorus sayi
Nicrophorus tomentosus
Nicrophorus vespilloides
Genus Oiceoptoma
Oiceoptoma inaequale
Oiceoptoma noveboracense
Oiceoptoma rugulosum
Genus Oxelytrum
Oxelytrum discicolle
Genus Thanatophilus
Thanatophilus coloradensis
Thanatophilus lapponicus
Thanatophilus sagax
Thanatophilus trituberculatus
Thanatophilus truncatus
Identification
Antennae of Silphidae are distinctive, for example:

Habitat
Found in many different habitats, usually associated with carrion (dead animals). Several species are attracted to UV and mercury vapor lights.
Life Cycle
Species in the genus Nicrophorus are unique in being one of the few insects that exhibit parental care of their young.
Print References
American Beetles, Vol. 1, Chapter 21 (1)
Internet References
Insects of Northeastern Iowa--links to photos of several genera/species
Insects of Cedar Creek
Carrion Beetles of Nebraska--home, and especially biology of carrion beetles
Catalog of higher taxa, genera and subgenera of Staphyliniformia
Works Cited
1.American Beetles, Volume I: Archostemata, Myxophaga, Adephaga, Polyphaga: Staphyliniformia
By Arnett, R.H., Jr., and M. C. Thomas. (eds.)
Contributed by Troy Bartlett on 16 February, 2004 - 12:32pm
Additional contributions by cotinis, Phillip Harpootlian, ghanley1, Jeff Gruber
Last updated 13 December, 2008 - 10:58am

Disclaimer: Dedicated naturalists volunteer their time and resources here to provide this service. We strive to provide accurate information, but we are mostly just amateurs attempting to make sense of a diverse natural world. If you need expert professional advice, contact your local extension office.

Contributors own the copyright to and are solely responsible for contributed content.
Click the contributor's name for licensing and usage information.
Everything else copyright © 2003-2009 Iowa State University, unless otherwise noted.

Bugguide is hosted by Iowa State University Entomology.

Printer Friendly Version 		Terms of Use
Privacy Policy
Site Map
Contact