Species Necrodes surinamensis - Red-lined Carrion Beetle

Necrodes surinamensis (Fabricius)

Orig. Comb: Silpha surinamensis Fabricius, 1775

1 sp. n. of Mex. (5 spp. total) (1)

12-25 mm

Distinctive, large eyes, dark body with prominent raised elytral ridges, variable red-orange, sometimes yellow, markings on elytra, though these sometimes absent. Sometimes has red tinge to body. Males have distinctive leg morphology: expanded hind femora with a large tooth on each, and expanded foretarsi. (1) Also, abdomen of male appears to jut out from under abdomen much more than female, at least based on this individual:

The black body with orange markings resembles the pattern of the related Sexton Beetles, Nicrophorus. Perhaps this is a mimicry complex.

e. NA to BC - Map (1)(2)

General, but may prefer deciduous forests

All year, but most common in temperate areas April-November. May-July, September (North Carolina).

Adults consume fly larvae (maggots), and perhaps some carrion.

Rather nocturnal and is found at lights, unlike related genera. Adults locate carrion and mate on or near carcass. They feed on fly larvae there. Eggs are laid on soil near carcass. Larvae feed on fly larvae and carrion, pupate in soil. Adults overwinter in under litter(?) or in other protected areas. See Ratcliffe (1) for details. This species is supposed to be attracted especially, to dead birds. (Insects of Northeastern Iowa)

Has chemical defenses, and smells foul, like all carrion beetles and their larvae.

Ratcliffe, pp. 26-30, fig. 49 (1)