Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
now treated as subfamily Silphinæ of Staphylinidae
(1)Numbers
32 spp. in 9 genera in our area (all represented in the guide) • >200 spp. in 20 genera total
(2)
Family SILPHIDAE
Aclypea bituberosa, A. opaca
Heterosilpha aenescens, H. ramosa
Necrodes surinamensis
Necrophila americana
Nicrophorus americanus, N. carolinus, N. defodiens, N. guttula, N. hebes, 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
Phosphuga atrata
Thanatophilus coloradensis, T. lapponicus, T. sagax, T. trituberculatus, T. truncatus
Silpha tristis
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 (e.g. the adventive
Phosphuga atrata) who eat caterpillars & snails
(7)Remarks
Nicrophorus are among the very few beetles that exhibit parental care
See Also
Cychrini have somewhat similar larvae