American Burying Beetle

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Endangered?
Who Cares?
American Burying Beetle
(Nicrophorus americanus)
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The species does have some interesting aspects to
its natural history.
Belongs to a group of insects collectively known
as carrion or sexton beetles
They feed and reproduce on dead animals
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Largest of carrion-frequenting insects reaching a
length of 4 cm.
World-wide there are 570 described species, 31 of
which occur in North America
Only one is endangered
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Adult beetles are nocturnal and search widely for
carrion
Locate dead animals using sense of smell organs
on their antennae.
Can locate a dead mouse within an hour of death
from as far away as 2 miles
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Working together, a male - female pair lift the
mouse and carry it to an area of soft soil
The carcass is then buried under several inches
of soilWhy?
From beneath the carcass the pair begin
displacing soil to the side and the mouse
settles into the ground
After burial, the pair strip away the fur and
work the mass into a ball
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A processed mouse carcass with Burying Beetle
larvae at work
A great deal of parental time and effort are
expended in the rearingof a brood.
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Dove being processed
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Former range included 150 counties in 35 States,
plus populations in Ontario, Quebec and Nova
Scotia
Now limited to 5 States, Rhode Island, Oklahoma,
Nebraska, South Dakota and Arkansas
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Distribution of American Burying Beetle in
Nebraska
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South Dakota
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It has recently been discovered that the beetle
has a unique symbiotic relationship with mites
The mites feed on fly eggs and protect the
beetles from bacteria
The beetles provide mites with transportation to
food sources
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Preferred Habitats
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Coastal Sand Habitat on Block Island
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Possible Reasons for Decline
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Genetic effects associated with small populations
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