Species Nicrophorus orbicollis - Roundneck Sexton Beetle

Classification · Explanation of Names · Size · Identification · Range · Habitat · Season · Life Cycle · Works Cited

carrion burying beetle with mites? - Nicrophorus orbicollis

Sexton Beetle ? - Nicrophorus orbicollis

Sexton Beetle with mites - Nicrophorus orbicollis

Nicrophorus orbicollis - Roundneck Sexton Beetle? - Nicrophorus orbicollis

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Subphylum Hexapoda (Hexapods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Coleoptera (Beetles)

Suborder Polyphaga

No Taxon (Series Staphyliniformia)

Superfamily Staphylinoidea

Family Staphylinidae (Rove Beetles)

Subfamily Silphinae (Carrion Beetles)

Genus Nicrophorus (Sexton Beetles)

Species orbicollis (Roundneck Sexton Beetle)

Explanation of Names

Nicrophorus orbicollis Say 1825

Size

15-23 mm(1)

Identification

The orange clubbed antennae along with the more circular posterior spots make this one fairly easy to ID (G.A. Hanley, 8/9/2008). Long elytral setae are characteristic, and usually diagnostic, for this species, but they are sometimes worn away.(1)

Range

e NA (NB-SK to FL-TX) - Map (1)(2), TX records mostly e. of the Brazos R.

Habitat

eastern deciduous forests, also grasslands; on all kinds of carrion, occasionally on dung, rotting fruit; adults observed to eat maggots(1)(3)

Season

Feb-Oct(1)

Life Cycle

Overwinters as adults; comes to lights(1)

Works Cited

1.	The Carrion Beetles (Coleoptera: Silphidae) of Nebraska Brett Ratcliffe. 1996. University of Nebraska State Museum.

2.	Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)

3.	A Manual of Common Beetles of Eastern North America Dillon, Elizabeth S., and Dillon, Lawrence. 1961. Row, Peterson, and Company.

Contributed by Jim McClarin on 22 September, 2005 - 6:25pm
Additional contributions by cotinis, john and jane balaban, Mike Quinn, v belov
Last updated 2 March, 2024 - 1:42pm

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