Other Common Names
"Pie Killer" since they hunt flies and other insects on top of fresh cow pies. (John Acorn)
Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Ontholestes cingulatus (Gravenhorst)
Orig. Comb: Staphylinus cingulatus Gravenhorst, 1802
Identification
Clumps of hair forms dark spots on much of body. Yellow hair forms "belt" under thorax, covers parts of last abdominal segments. Head wider than pronotum. Often turns yellow tip of abdomen upward when walking.
Range
across Canada and n. US -
Map (1)(2)Habitat
On Carrion, dung and decaying organic material (R. Bercha)
Food
Flies and fly larva associated with carrion and dung. (R. Bercha)
Life Cycle
Eggs are laid near carrion or fungi; pupate in chambers in soil nearby
Remarks
Might be confused with Platydracus maculosus, but has much larger eyes, and the golden colour on abdomen is made up by dense reflective fur, standing on dark integument.