Other Common Names
Le Silphe marginé (Insects of Quebec)
Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Silpha noveboracensis
Oiceoptoma noveboracensis
Identification
Similar, but smaller than the more common Necrophila americana. In this species the black mark on the pronotum extends to the base. Edges of pronotum tinged with yellow or orange. O. inaequale is similar but lacks the orange on the pronotum--it is entirely black.
Range
Eastern North America, though absent from deep south (incl. Florida, Louisiana, Texas)
Habitat
Usually deciduous forests, but sometimes in grasslands.
Season
February-October. Seen as early as May 5 in Durham, North Carolina. Active in early spring in northern part of range.
Food
Adults sometimes consume fly larvae (maggots) on carrion.
Life Cycle
Diurnal. Larvae feed on carrion, sometimes decaying fungi, perhaps maggots. One generation per year.
Remarks
Common name is based on the common name given by
Insects of Quebec.Print References
Dillon, p. 177, Plate XXIX
(1)
Arnett, p. 130, fig. 323.
(2)
White, p. 121, fig. 44
(3)
Ratcliffe, pp. 35-37, fig. 61
(4)
Marshall, photos 303.4-5
(6)Internet References
Insects of Cedar Creek has an informative page on genus
Silpha, with illustrations of several species.
Insects of Quebec has a page with good photos of specimens.
Photo (with S. inaequale) at Oklahoma Biological Survey
Contributed by
Cotinis on 6 September, 2004 - 7:59pm
Additional contributions by
Chuck EntzLast updated 5 November, 2006 - 5:59am
