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Photo#32197
Mites in flight on Nicrophorus orbicollis - Nicrophorus orbicollis

Mites in flight on Nicrophorus orbicollis - Nicrophorus orbicollis
Derry, Rockingham County, New Hampshire, USA
April 19, 2004
Shows mites lined up in rows near base of elytra in readiness for flight. They seem to sense when the beetle intends to fly even before it begins its pre-flight fidgets. This is presumably a good position for the mites to safeguard them from being dislodged, since the beetle rotates the elytra (wingcovers) inward to get them out of the way of the wings, thereby placing the mites in between the two elytra.

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Mites in flight on Nicrophorus orbicollis - Nicrophorus orbicollis Mites in flight on Nicrophorus orbicollis - Nicrophorus orbicollis Mites in flight on Nicrophorus orbicollis - Nicrophorus orbicollis Mites in flight on Nicrophorus orbicollis - Nicrophorus orbicollis

N. sayi
These are Nicrophorus sayi, not N. orbicollis.