The American burying beetle (Nicrophorus americanus) is the largest carrion beetle in North America, reaching lengths of 1.0 to 1.8 inches (25 to 35 centimeters) 1.
Unique among insects, both male and female burying beetles engage in parental care, working together to bury their food source and tending to their offspring 2.
Having once inhabited 35 states, the American burying beetle now only exists in a few 2. Its fascinating lifecycle and diminishing habitat make it an important species to learn about and protect for future generations.
Various management practices have been developed to help conserve this threatened critter 3.
American Burying Beetle: An Overview
The American burying beetle (Nicrophorus americanus) is a large and distinctive insect. Its key features include:
- Size: Approximately 1.0 to 1.8 inches (25 to 35 centimeters) in length
- Color: Black body with orange-red markings on its elytra
- Pronotum: Pronounced, with a unique shape and markings for easy identification
Here’s a brief comparison with other beetles in North America:
| Beetle Species | Length (in) | Color |
|---|---|---|
| American Burying Beetle | 1.0 – 1.8 | Black & Red |
| Eastern Hercules Beetle | 1.2 – 2.7 | Greenish grey or yellowish |
| June Beetle | 0.5 – 1.0 | Reddish Brown |
Habitat and Distribution
As mentioned above, the American burying beetle was once widespread across 35 U.S. states. However, its range has now dramatically decreased, and the beetle is found only in:
- A few states in the Central and eastern United States
- Two small areas in Oklahoma and Texas
Some factors contributing to their reduced habitat include:
- Deforestation: Loss of wooded areas
- Pesticides: Chemicals harming the beetle population
- Population decline: Decrease in small mammal species (their primary food source)
Diet and Feeding
American burying beetles are primarily scavengers, feeding on dead animals. They have an interesting feeding behavior, as they:
- Locate a small dead animal using its strong sense of smell
- Bury the carcass underground to protect it from other beetles or predators
- Lay eggs on the carcass
- Stay with their offspring underground, feeding and protecting them until they hatch
This diet and feeding behavior make the American burying beetle a key species in the decomposition and recycling processes in their ecosystem.
Reproduction and Parenting
Mating and Egg Laying
The American burying beetle’s reproductive process begins with mating. The male and female beetles engage in a search for a suitable carcass to bury, which serves as a source of nourishment for their offspring.
These beetles breed once a year, particularly during June or July.
Once a carcass is found and buried, the female beetle lays her eggs nearby. This process is referred to as egg laying. The number of eggs laid typically ranges from 10 to 30.
Parental Care
Parental care is an essential aspect of the American burying beetle’s life cycle. Both the male and female beetles work together to care for their eggs and larvae.
Notable behaviors of parental care include:
- Carcass preparation: The beetles remove fur or feathers from the carcass and apply secretions to prevent decay.
- Feeding assistance: Both parents regurgitate pre-digested food for their larvae, ensuring they have adequate nourishment.
- Protection: The beetles actively defend their offspring from potential predators and parasites.
Larvae
After the eggs hatch, the larvae emerge and begin feeding on the prepared carcass. The parents continue to provide care and nourishment during this stage.
Some key aspects of the larvae stage include:
- Rapid development: The larvae grow quickly and molt several times before reaching the pupal stage.
- Pupal stage: After their final molt, the larvae enter the pupal stage, where they transform into adult beetles.
This table shows a comparison of their developmental stages and their respective durations.
| Stage | Duration |
|---|---|
| Egg | 3-7 days |
| Larvae | 7-14 days |
| Pupal | 7-10 days |
Therefore, the reproductive process of the American burying beetle involves mating, egg-laying, parental care, and the development of larvae.
Through these combined efforts, the beetles maximize the survival and growth of their offspring in the wild.
Conservation Status and Efforts
The American burying beetle (Nicrophorus americanus) was initially classified as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act.
However, recent efforts have led to its reclassification from endangered to threatened status.
Current Conservation Measures
Several initiatives are in place to protect the American burying beetle:
- Habitat protection: Preserving and restoring habitats to support beetle populations.
- Captive breeding programs: Increasing beetle numbers in controlled environments before reintroduction into the wild.
- Reducing pesticide exposure: Implementing Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices to minimize harmful impacts on beetles.
The following table shows the pros and cons of each of these conservation measures.
| Conservation Measures | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Habitat protection | Preserves natural environments | Limited resources for large-scale efforts |
| Captive breeding programs | Boosts population numbers | Possible loss of genetic diversity |
| Reducing pesticide exposure | Promotes healthier ecosystems | Challenges in balancing pest control and beetle protection |
The Role of American Burying Beetle in the Ecosystem
The American burying beetle plays a crucial role in ecosystems as scavengers. They feed on animal carcasses, mainly small vertebrates like birds and mammals. The key benefits of these beetles include:
- Breaking down carcasses, which helps recycle nutrients into the ecosystem
- Reducing disease transmission risk from dead animals
Relation to Other Animals
American burying beetles interact with various animals in their habitats:
- Carrion beetles and other scavengers compete for resources, such as carcasses
- Predators like birds and mammals may prey on burying beetles
- The beetles host red mites, which can impact their populations
The American burying beetle faces several future challenges, as summarized above. Habitat loss and climate change may threaten beetle populations and the important role they play in maintaining carrion ecosystem health.
Geographic Spread
United States Distribution
The American burying beetle, also known as the giant carrion beetle, was once found in 32 states across the United States.
However, their current distribution is significantly reduced, and they are now primarily found in a handful of states, including Arkansas, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, Massachusetts, Texas, Rhode Island, and Oklahoma.
These beetles prefer oak-hickory forests as their habitat and are known for staying underground during the daytime.
Notable populations are found on Nantucket and Block Island, which are the last remaining northeastern populations.
Canadian Presence
While there is limited information related to the American burying beetle’s presence in Canada, its southern plains range is known to be a key area for conservation efforts.
In the southern plains, estimated habitat suitability is studied to help assess and protect the species.
Breeding Population Monitoring
Monitoring the breeding populations of the American burying beetle is essential for its conservation, especially considering its status as a threatened species.
Habitat degradation, alteration, and fragmentation pose major challenges for this beetle. Efforts are undertaken to track changes in population numbers and distribution. A few examples of monitoring methods include:
- Live trapping and mark-recapture techniques to estimate population size
- Remote sensing technology to monitor habitat changes
Research and monitoring of the American burying beetle are valuable to guide conservation efforts and protect this threatened species as it faces challenges due to habitat changes and fragmentation.
Conclusion
The American burying beetle (Nicrophorus americanus) is a unique and significant insect in North America, just like its close relative the Tomentose Burying Beetle.
With its extraordinary parental care and role as a scavenger, it once thrived in 32 states but is now found only in a few areas due to habitat loss and other human-induced factors.
Conservation efforts, such as habitat protection and captive breeding programs, aim to preserve this threatened species and its essential ecological contributions.
The beetle’s survival remains critical for maintaining ecosystem health and nutrient recycling in the wild.
Footnotes
49 Comments. Leave new
i had one of these in my bedroom! flying around he sounded like a plane. we caught it and put it in a jar to discover its head and thorax? was covered in tiny little bugs a parasite of sorts. kind of looked like ticks but really small. i sent in a picture to whats that bug but i am sure they are very busy! at least we know now what this bug is. kids started calling it a charlie brown beetle cause of the stripe!
This is Nicrophorus vespilloides, the most common sexton beetle in Europe. Like the American ones, this species burying small bodies such mices or little birds, transform its in pitches where will feed their larvae.
My daughter spotted this exact beetle, covered with mites, on the outside of our windowsill. I was thrilled to find this webpage. To our complete amazement, the beetle easily flew off, passengers and all. Thanks very much for the solving the mystery.
August 15, 2010
Fairbanks, Alaska
Maggie
These beetles are also known commonly as carrion beetles, and are generally identified by their antenna. The picture is a little blurry, but were I to hazard a guess I’d say either Nicrophorus nigrita or Nicrophorus marginatus, though I’m no expert on their classification.
Thanks for your input.
After seeing this 1 1/4 in. beast, my son was afraid to let the dog out, here in No. Reading, MA. We went down together and got a picture of it, complete with mites. We thought they might be young-uns. Very quick & active mites. Seen at 10:00 pm clinging to the porch lattice.
I’ll try to find out their habitat range.
After seeing this 1 1/4 in. beast, my son was afraid to let the dog out, here in No. Reading, MA. We went down together and got a picture of it, complete with mites. We thought they might be young-uns. Very quick & active mites. Seen at 10:00 pm clinging to the porch lattice.
I’ll try to find out their habitat range.
What’s up with the mites? They gonna infest my house ? I live in Stellarton Nova Scotia, Canada. One justvflew in my house not 12 minutes ago. I never seen one in my 38 years in the town. Little skeptical as to let it go or not.. These mites hitch in a ride gonna crawl in my kids ears n shit? Just curious as I can’t deal with something eatin inside my kids head. Any thoughts would ease my mind a little hopefully
The mites that travel phoretically on Burying Beetles are not connected to mites that infest people and animals, so you can ease your mind.
So glad to read the post above. We live in a forrest in central california. We know when we see them that somethings dead nearby. Tonight was the first time we saw the mites and like the poster above, I was freaked out. They’re hard to kill. We finally started using an electrical bug zapper which works well because the shell is seriously tough. We’be had one in the house every night for the last three nights. Are they nocturnal?
Burying Beetles are active at night.
Thanks so much for the reply bugman. Everyone I showed the picture to was stumped on this one! I can’t find much info on the Sexton Beetle. I wonder in particular why my dog found it so offensive as she gobbles up every other bug she sees…spruce beetles, hornets, spiders, etc (sorry she’s a bug murderer ?)
You can read about Sexton Beetles on BugGuide. We have not heard of Sexton Beetles having a disagreeable flavor, so we don’t know why your dog had such a reaction.
Are the mites seen on these beetle bird mites?? Is this how some homes or people are being infected with them.
Specially if they don’t have a birdsnest or bird feeder near by to blame an infestation?
Could these guys be the vehicle for these mites??
This is so important
HELP
Bird Mites are different from Phoretic Mites.
Are the mites seen on these beetle bird mites?? Is this how some homes or people are being infected with them.
Specially if they don’t have a birdsnest or bird feeder near by to blame an infestation?
Could these guys be the vehicle for these mites??
This is so important
HELP
Was really helpful thank you !
Google search brought me to your website
Was really helpful thank you !
Google search brought me to your website
Saw my first two in south-western WI, last night.
I live in Staffordshire England and had one of these beetles in my loft last night making lots of noise at 3am.We caught it by unscrewing a ceiling light where it was trying to get out of.Is it likely that there will be more up there and what do we do if they are breading?
My daughter found one in a pan that was laying in her yard. We think the wind blew it ? over from the neighbors who have chickens and aren’t really careful about carcasses. I’ve lived here 30 years never seen one before. We live in Wasilla Alaska.
Just came across this post, I live in wasilla as well and it’s a long shot giving the year of your post but I just found one in my kitchen sink, thinking it came threw our kitchen window, iv never seen one of these beetles with mites on it before in Alaska!
I live in Halifax England. I found a dead mouse on my lawn and when I moved it , there were two of them under it . I couldn’t believe how fast they burrowed back into the ground. Iv never seen one before . Didn’t have time to take a picture they were gone in a blink of an eye.
Just found 5 of these beetles on my remote to my garage this morning at 10:30 a.m. Very slow moving.
Never seen them before Newcastle Ontario Canada.
Just found 5 of these beetles on my remote to my garage this morning at 10:30 a.m. Very slow moving.
Never seen them before Newcastle Ontario Canada.
Saw one in my carport. Do they spray or just taste nasty, he gave my dogs a fit, causing them to drool excessively.
NC here
Found one of these in my backyard in the Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada this morning!
July 26, 2017 My husband woke in the middle of the night said something bit him, we found one of these on the sheet. Had to step on it, I picked it up and saw the mites. Haven’t been able to go back to sleep so I thought I would look up what kind of bug it was. Thank you for the info.
Found one of these monsters in the basement of my house, though it had no mites on it. Flattened it with a huge book before I went to check on here what it was (opps). I am in Alberta… So I don’t know how it even got here since I can’t seem to find Alberta anywhere on where they should be.
My son found one on our deck and fed it to his bearded dragon. The lizard seemed to enjoy it. We reside in Cocagne, NB. First time that we have seen this colouring on a beetle.
My husband and I found a dead mouse in our yard on the patio with what appeared to be a dead beetle on it as when we moved the mouse it fell off and layed on it’s back. We assumed the beetle was dead. As we were disposing of the mouse another beetle started flying around and eventually it landed on the “dead” beetle and the dead beetle became alive (active) we were pretty surprised to see this. They stayed attached to each other for several minutes then they both started flying around the bag with the disposed mouse. We looked up the beetle to see what we could find and realized we made the mistake of interrupting this very interesting cycle. We found that they are considered extirpated in Ontario. We live in Cambridge Ontario. Was very interesting to watch. My husband and I thought for sure the first beetle was dead as my husband had picked it up and it didn’t move. We later read that they do this when they are handled. Amazing creatures.
Hi I’m from South Wales UK Just had on in my bathroom but sorry guys I freaked out and squashed it my husband ain’t to happy though now I feel guilty because of how sweet it sounded before my shoe hit it 🙁
Are burying beetles found often in Newfoundland?
Often is relative. They are found in Newfoundland.
I have seen 12 of these flying around in my house today! 1 every 30 to 60 minutes. Did not know I shouldn’t have squashed them but I actually catch some and release them outside. How do I get rid of them?! I live in Ontario in a port town on Lake Erie. I didn’t think they were supposed to be here!
Based on BugGuide data, Burying Beetles are found throughout North America. Finding them in your house might indicate a nearby dead animal.
Found one of these in our dog kennels this morning in County Durham, UK. It seemed quite lethargic, captured and released in the woods. Please don’t tell me I need to worry about mites transferring to my dogs ?
Nope. Different type of mite.
Found same scene this evening today on July 2nd, 2018 on Wallops Island, Va.
I have just found this beetle in my kitchen (England,UK) covered in these mites luckily I got in there before my dog could eat it. I thought they were babies. This is so gross… lol
I am currently in the process of building my house, and to save money I’ve been living in a canopy surrounded by a bug net, so the bottom is open to all sorts of freakin beetles. Spruce sawyers, spruce beetles, and of course, these monstrosities. Man did this lil dude give me spook, lol. I lived in alaska all my life, I do a lot of camping and hiking, and NEVER have I seen one of these before.
Just had one fly into our kitchen. It is 10 pm and I live in North Vancouver. Never seen one before.
This just flew into the bathroom at night when i was in the shower, took half an hour to find out what it was, Quite Big, loved the light bulb, Thought it was a wasp, Killed by Dog.
My boyfriend and i came across a dead chipmunk that our cat killed the day prior. The dead rodent was on dirt by our lake. We moved it and at least 20of these creatures came out of the chipmunks body and out from underneath it and then burried itself into the ground. It was so weird. They were very quick. Kinda gross. Shapleigh, ME 8/31/19
What an amazing symbiotic relationship, thank you so much for sharing!!
I had one of these noisy beetles flying around my living room last night in Red Feather Lakes, Colorado. I didn’t get a photo. I hope I get another chance!
Found a Sexton Beetle in Baie Verte Newfoundland in my dad’s shed on August 23rd 2021
My dog just brought one into the house and I can’t stop physically cringing since hearing about and seeing the mites. Should I be worried about my dogs mouth at all?
-Manitoba