Do Carrion Beetles Fly? Uncovering the Secrets of These Unique Insects

Carrion beetles, belonging to the family Silphidae, are fascinating creatures that play a vital role in nature by helping decompose dead animals. A common question that often arises about these beetles is whether they are capable of flying.

The answer is yes, carrion beetles can fly, albeit they might not be as agile in the air as some other insects. The American Carrion Beetle (Necrophila americana), for example, has been observed in flight, with some even resembling bumblebees while doing so. This ability to fly allows carrion beetles to cover larger distances in search of decaying matter to feed on or to lay their eggs.

These insects possess strong legs, tipped with spines and adapted for digging, which enables them to bury small carcasses efficiently for their larvae to feed on. Carrion beetles, like the American Burying Beetle, also help maintain balance in ecosystems by reducing the spread of diseases associated with decaying organisms, and indirectly controlling the population of carrion-feeding maggots.

Carrion Beetles and Their Habitats

Family Silphidae

Carrion beetles belong to the family Silphidae. They are known for their distinctive habits of feeding on dead animals, or carrion. Here are some key features of these beetles:

• Flattened shape
• Black, with markings of red, orange, or yellow
• Shell-like forewings, wider at the end and narrower at the front
• Antennae with clubbed tips

Carrion beetles play a crucial role in the ecosystem, as they help decompose dead organisms and recycle nutrients. They can often be found in or near compost bins, where they feed on decaying plants and animals¹.

Genus Nicrophorus

The genus Nicrophorus, commonly known as burying beetles, is a part of the Silphidae family. The most well-known species in this genus is the American Burying Beetle (Nicrophorus americanus)². Here are some characteristics of the American Burying Beetle:

• Largest carrion beetle in North America
• Approximately 1.0 to 1.8 inches in length³
• Active during the daytime
• Attracted to the scent of carrion

The American Burying Beetle is unique for its behavior of burying carcasses underground to use as a food source for their larvae. This action helps in the decomposition process and contributes to a healthier ecosystem.

Comparison Table: Family Silphidae vs. Genus Nicrophorus

Feature	Silphidae	Nicrophorus
Habitat	Compost bins, decaying plants and animals	Near carcasses, burying them underground
Size/Length	Variable sizes	1.0 to 1.8 inches
Markings/Color	Red, orange, or yellow markings	Typically black or brown with red markings
Feeding Behaviors	Scavenging on dead organisms	Burying dead organisms for larvae food source

Types of Carrion Beetles

American Carrion Beetle

The American Carrion Beetle (Necrophila americana) is a member of the Silphidae family, primarily feeding on decaying plants and animals in both its adult and larval stages ¹. Adults have a yellow pronotum with a black spot in the middle, measuring approximately ½ to ¾ inches in length ². When flying, they resemble bumblebees. The larvae are black, teardrop-shaped grubs, resembling sowbugs.

Red-Breasted Carrion Beetle

Another carrion beetle is the Red-Breasted Carrion Beetle (Oiceoptoma thoracicum) which also belongs to the Silphidae family. These beetles have a bright red thorax and a black elytra, typically measuring around 10-15 mm in length. They can be found in various habitats, including woodland areas and gardens, feeding on carrion as well as other insects.

Comparison table between American Carrion Beetle and Red-Breasted Carrion Beetle:

Feature	American Carrion Beetle	Red-Breasted Carrion Beetle
Scientific Name	Necrophila americana	Oiceoptoma thoracicum
Family	Silphidae	Silphidae
Size	½ to ¾ inches	10-15 mm
Color	Yellow pronotum, black spot	Red thorax, black elytra
Primary Feeding Sources	Decaying plants and animals	Carrion and insects

Key features of carrion beetles:

• Belong to the family Silphidae
• Feed on decaying organic matter, such as plants and animals
• Can also consume other insects and fungi
• Play a role in the decomposition process

Characteristics of Carrion Beetles:

• Can fly, often resembling bumblebees in flight
• Unique color patterns, such as yellow pronotum with black spot (American Carrion Beetle) or red thorax and black elytra (Red-Breasted Carrion Beetle)
• Size ranging from 10 mm to over 20 mm depending on the species

Anatomy and Characteristics

Elytra and Pronotum

Carrion beetles have distinctive elytra – the hard, shell-like forewings. These are usually wider towards the end of the body and narrower towards the front ¹. In many species, their elytra are too short to cover all abdomen segments. The pronotum is the plate-like structure on the thorax, and in the American Carrion Beetle, it is yellow with a large black spot in the middle ².

An example:

• American Carrion Beetle: ½ to ¾ inch long, yellow pronotum with a black spot, and elytra that resemble a bumblebee in flight ³.

Antennae

Carrion beetles, like other beetles, possess antennae that help them sense their surroundings. Their antennae are typically not as long or elaborate as those of other beetle families ¹.

Key Features:

• Elytra: hard, shell-like forewings
• Pronotum: plate-like structure on the thorax
• Antennae: sensory appendages on the head; not as long as in other beetles

Characteristics:

• Flattened body shape.
• Usually black with red, orange, or yellow markings ¹.

Comparison Table:

Feature	Carrion Beetle	Other Beetles
Elytra Shape	Wider at the end, narrow at the front	Varies
Pronotum Coloration	Yellow with a black spot (American Carrion Beetle)	Varies
Antennae Length	Shorter	Longer

Carrion Beetle Life Cycle

Larvae

The larval stage of the American Carrion Beetle is highly dependent on a suitable corpse to feed on. These black, teardrop-shaped grubs are attracted to decaying animals, where they consume rotting tissues. As they grow, larvae may consume:

• Decaying plants
• Rotting animals
• Fungi
• Rotten fruit

Pupation

When the larvae have reached their full size, they prepare to pupate. Pupation usually occurs in the soil, where the larvae:

• Burrow into the soil
• Create a protective chamber
• Transform into pupae

During this stage, they undergo metamorphosis to become adult carrion beetles.

Soil

Soil plays a vital role in the life cycle of carrion beetles:

• Provides a safe environment for pupation
• Offers concealment from predators

Given the importance of soil, it’s essential for carrion beetles to find a suitable area with enough humidity and nutrients to support their growth and development.

Comparison of Larvae and Pupation:

Larvae	Pupation
Feeds on decaying material	Does not feed
Actively moves and grows	Undergoes metamorphosis
Found on or near the corpse	Burrowed in soil

Feeding and Decomposition

Role in Decomposition

Carrion beetles, such as the American Carrion Beetle, play a significant role in decomposition. They feed on decaying plants and animals, as well as fungi and rotten fruit. By consuming decomposing matter, they help recycle nutrients back into the ecosystem.

• Decomposition stage: Carrion beetles arrive during the later stages of decomposition.
• Climate impact: Climate affects the rate of decomposition, with warmer temperatures speeding up the process.
• Nutrient recycling: They contribute to the recycling of nutrients back into the soil and ecosystem.

Eating Maggots

Carrion beetles are also known to feed on maggots, which are present during earlier decomposition stages. Maggots are fly larvae responsible for breaking down soft tissue.

Here’s a brief comparison of carrion beetles and maggots:

	Carrion Beetles	Maggots
Role	Feed on carrion	Break down soft tissue
Appearance	Flattened beetles	Fly larvae
Decomposition	Later stages	Earlier stages
Nutrient Cycle	Assist in recycling nutrients	Contribute to decomposition process

Examples of carrion beetles and maggots fulfilling their roles in different climates and decomposition stages can help illustrate the importance of their presence in ecosystems. For instance, in a warm climate, a carcass might decompose more rapidly, leading to a quicker arrival of carrion beetles to feed on it and the maggots already present.

Including both carrion beetles and maggots in further studies of decomposition can provide more accurate estimates of factors such as time of death and the impact of various climates on decomposition rates.

Ecological Relationships

Mutualism with Mites

Carrion beetles share a mutualistic relationship with some species of mites. In this relationship, both organisms benefit from each other. For example:

• Mites hitch a ride on the carrion beetle, which allows them to reach food sources they couldn’t access on foot¹.
• In return, the mites consume fly eggs and newly hatched maggots, helping the beetle larvae by reducing competition for food².

Predatory Activities

Carrion beetles play a crucial role in controlling populations of various smaller creatures. Their predatory activities include:

• Feeding on fly larvae, which compete with their own larvae for carrion³.
• Consuming other invertebrates, such as snails, providing a valuable ecological service⁴.

Carrion beetles can also face threats from predators in their ecosystem. Some of the known predators are:

• Small mammals, which might prey on them⁵.
• Other invertebrates, like predatory beetles or centipedes⁶.

Comparison of Carrion Beetle Ecology

Characteristic	Mutualism with Mites	Predatory Activities
Benefits	Transportation for mites, reduced competition for beetle larvae	Controls population of smaller creatures like flies, maggots, and snails
Threats	None mentioned	Small mammals, other invertebrates

A Shift in Behavior: The Burying Beetles

Nicrophorus Humator

Nicrophorus humator, also known as the black burying beetle, is a type of burying beetle that is large and brightly patterned. These beetles are primarily black with some having white marks on their elytra, face, or antennae tips.

• They are known for their burying behaviors and help in decomposing animal carcasses.
• The clubbed antennae help in detecting their food source.

Nicrophorus Vespilloides

Nicrophorus vespilloides are another species of burying beetles known for their similar traits and behaviors. They too display bright color patterns and are efficient in decomposing carrion.

• They are nocturnal, active during warmer temperatures when it’s above 15°C (60°F).
• These beetles are also attracted to decaying vegetation.

Comparing Nicrophorus Humator & Nicrophorus Vespilloides

Feature	Nicrophorus Humator	Nicrophorus Vespilloides
Color Pattern	Mostly black, some white markings	Bright color patterns
Burying Behavior	Decompose animal carcasses	Decompose animal carcasses
Antennae	Clubbed, help in detecting food	Clubbed, help in detecting food
Activity	Not Specified	Nocturnal, active above 15°C (60°F)
Attraction	Decaying animal carcasses	Decaying vegetation and carrion

Both species of burying beetles play a crucial role in breaking down animal carcasses, helping maintain the balance within their ecosystems.

Footnotes

1. https://extension.umaine.edu/home-and-garden-ipm/fact-sheets/common-name-listing/american-carrion-beetle/ ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶
2. https://www.fws.gov/species/american-burying-beetle-nicrophorus-americanus ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴
3. https://education.mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/carrion-beetles-burying-beetles ↩ ↩² ↩³
4. Personal knowledge ↩
5. Personal knowledge ↩
6. Personal knowledge ↩

Reader Emails

Over the years, our website, whatsthatbug.com has received hundreds of letters and some interesting images asking us about these insects. Scroll down to have a look at some of them.

Letter 1 – Red Lined Carrion Beetle

 

Subject: flying beetle?
Location: Newfoundland Canada,
August 21, 2015 8:21 am
Can anyone identify this flying beetle? They hit the patio in a swarm over the weekend. Not sure if they were loosing their wings after a while or not. You can see wings and orange markings clearly in some of the pictures.
Newfoundland Canada,
Signature: Danny

Dear Danny,
Though the antennae are quite different, your beetle resembles a Burying Beetle in the genus Nicrophorus enough for us to begin searching with that as a lead.  We found images of the Red Lined Carrion Beetle, Necrodes surinamensis, on BugGuide and we are satisfied that is your beetle.  The BugGuide description is:  “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.  Also, abdomen of male appears to jut out from under abdomen much more than female.”  BugGuide also notes:  “Adults consume fly larvae (maggots), and perhaps some carrion” and “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.”  The shininess of your images indicates they were most likely shot with an on camera flash, leading us to suspect this was a nocturnal swarm.  We suspect this was a recent mass emergence nearby that was attracted to your lights.  In light of the fact that Red Lined Carrion Beetles feed on fly maggots, we would urge you to consider this recent swarm a brief annoyance of a beneficial species.

Letter 2 – Mating Carrion Beetles from Japan

 

Found these two while in Japan
Just wanted to know what kind of bugs these are. The first pair were “getting it on” in the middle of a path that ran through a city park in Tokyo. The caterpillar kind of freaked me out but it’s beautiful. Feel free to use the picture on your site if you wish. THANKS!

These are mating Carrion Beetles in the family Silphidae. As their name implies, they feed on dead flesh in the larval stages and adults feed on fly maggots to ensure more of the rotting flesh will remain as a larval food, helping to eliminate food competition for the progeny.

Letter 3 – Margined Carrion Beetles swarm stinky mushroom!!!

 

for your collection
I took this photo in Vermont, they’re some kind of carrion beetles and they were swarming the raunchiest smelling mushroom I have ever encountered… I did look up the mushroom and I think it is ‘Phallus impudicus’ which is a very apt description if you ask me. Not sure the exact name of the beetles but anything that likes to eat that nasty mushroom gets kudos from me. Your site is fabulous, and your calendar is super fabulous!
Zoe

Hi Zoe,
Thanks for the compliments. Your beetles look like Margined Carrion Beetles, Oiceoptoma noveboracensis.

Letter 4 – Pustulated Carrion Beetle skewered

 

Identification
July 14, 2009
The other day i was sitting in my basement when an insect (6 legs) landed on me. mostly black with red dots, large wings and when i brushed it off of me it then emitted a horrendous smell that was so bad i had to change
n/a
southeast missouri

Dear n/a,
This is a Pustulated Carrion Beetle, Nicrophorus pustulatus.  It is one of the Burying Beetles.  BugGuide reports:  “Reported to be a brood parasite of other Nicrophorus (1). Also reported to parasitize the eggs of Black Rat Snakes–see Ecoscience 7 (4) : 395-397 (2000). The beetle larvae destroy the snake eggs, thus, the beetle would qualify as a parasitoid, a relationship usually seen only among invertebrates.”  It appears that this Pustulated Carrion Beetle has been skewered, and we don’t believe it is to enter an insect collection, which would probably qualify it as unnecessary carnage.  In the scheme of things, the beetle stinking you up so you had to change your shirt is not as troublesome as you ending its life as payback.

Letter 5 – Red Lined Carrion Beetles emerge in great numbers in home in Canada

 

Should I worry?
Location:  8 hours north west of Thunder Bay
August 12, 2010 7:34 am
Hello,
A couple days ago late at night there was a pretty big bug flying around the living room. Since we live in very northern Ontario, in a small mining town surrounded by trees and water – there are quite a few moths and stuff. The creature landed on my arm and totally freaked me out! The next night (yesterday) the was one buzzing above the bed…. Tonight, we woke up in the middle of the night to a low battery chirping smoke detector only to find 30 or more of these things!!!! Flying, crawling around and if they are on their backs they wiggle and seem to be stuck! Now, it has been humid and rainy alot and all of the houses here are built on bedrock. A third of our main floor is finished and the other 2 thirds has open rock. Our living space is upstairs but you come in through the main floor and go upstairs. The whole lot of them were on the main floor. As I sent my husband to snap some pics for you this morning – he found 20 more in a bin! It looks lik e they go into things (vase in one pic and metal bin as well) and cannot get out. We burn wood and have had lots of wood in the house. None now because it’s summer. Is this some kind of infestation, should we have a fire (even thought its soo hot) to dry out everything down there?? I bought a dehumidifier yesterday – but we are so far north it will be here in 3 weeks. Do we need an exterminator??
Help please!! We dealt with flying ants last year and that was terrible – now these things are 3 to 4 times as big. I don’t even want to go outside ’cause I have to walk through there…
Thank you so much in advance for any help and advice you can offer!
Amy

Hi Amy,
Thanks for the thorough narrative account.  You do not need an exterminator.  We believe these are Red Lined Carrion Beetles, Necrodes surinamensis, but the telltale red line is not really visible in your photos, either because it is absent from the beetles, or because the glass through which the photos were taken has obscured it.  According to BugGuide:  “Adults consume fly larvae (maggots), and perhaps some carrion” and “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.”  We suspect there was a carcass or carcasses either in or near your home and that is the reason you experienced this phenomenon.  It will pass, and unless the corpses of birds continues to accumulate, you can probably count on this being a one time occurrence.

Thank you soo much, I took a quick look after your email and it does have spots!  We have bears and coyotes, foxes and deer, moose and alot of other smaller creatures.  I have no doubt that there are carcasses around… Yuck – and these things really creep me out (good thing we picked to live in the woods – geez) =) I guess I’ll let the hubby get them out of the house and keep my fingers crossed that they find another home!
Thank you soooo very much and I hope you have a wonderful summer!!
Amy

Letter 6 – Pustulated Carrion Beetle

 

A black beetle with red dots at rear
Location:  44⁰ 18’30”N 68⁰54’12’W = Islesboro
August 30, 2010 1:07 am
The cat was harassing this beetle? in my bedroom at +/- 2AM. That’s all. Before I free it, I’d like to know it’s name, rank, and serial number.
Sukey Love

Hi Sukey,
This is a Carrion Beetle known as the Pustulated Carrion Beetle, Nicrophorus pustulatus.  Carrion Beetles in the genus Nicrophorus are also known as Sexton Beetles.  Adults, often working in pairs, will bury small dead vertebrates like rodents or birds and lay eggs, guarding the brood until the young mature.  BugGuide provides this fascinating information:  “Reported to be a brood parasite of other Nicrophorus (1). Also reported to parasitize the eggs of Black Rat Snakes, Elaphe obsoleta (Blouin-Demers and Weatherhead, 2000; Trumbo, 2009). The beetle larvae destroy the snake eggs, thus, the beetle would qualify as a parasitoid of the snake, a relationship usually seen only among invertebrates. In the wild, Nicrophorus pustulatus is not known to exhibit the usual carcass-burying behavior of other members of its genus, though it will display some of this behavior in captivity. There is suspicion, too, that it may parasitize eggs of other reptiles, and, perhaps, birds (Trumbo, 2009).“

Letter 7 – Pustulated Carrion Beetle

 

Subject: Burying Beetle?
Location: Just south of Louisville, KY
August 22, 2014 10:40 pm
I found this guy (3/4 inch?) in my house. In trying to find out what it was I decided it must be a Nicrophorus pustulatus and ran into your website in researching it. Sadly, he or she seems to have expired over-night and my daughter threw it out in the morning. (It did have a pungent smell!) I live in Bullitt county KY on 10 acres and we have always had large(7-8 ft) rat snakes around. I haven’t seen any this year….might there be a cause and effect relationship between not seeing the usual snakes and seeing one of these beetles?
How efficient are they at finding clutches of eggs and do they also attack hibernating adult snakes? (Or sleeping humans?) Do snakes leave the area if they are around or have they been killed off by them?
Any info would be appreciated.
Signature: Dan

Dear Dan,
You are correct that this is Nircrophorus pustulatus, the Pustulated Carrion Beetle, which we confirmed on BugGuide.  We would not have thought that Pustulated Carrion Beetles would have a negative impact on the rat snakes in your area, but according to BugGuide:  “Also reported to parasitize the eggs of Black Rat Snakes, Elaphe obsoleta (Blouin-Demers & Weatherhead 2000, Trumbo 2009).”

 

Letter 8 – Ridged Carrion Beetles and Margined Carrion Beetles on Dead Mole

 

Subject: Mole eating bug
Location: Massachusetts
April 18, 2016 3:02 pm
I found this dead mole on a trail and all of these unknown bugs were all over it. I would like to you what type of bugs these are.
Signature: Sarina B

Dear Sarina,
At least two species of Carrion Beetles, the all black Ridged Carrion Beetle, Oiceoptoma inequale, and the red and black Margined Carrion Beetle, Oiceoptoma noveboracense, are gathering around this dead mole.  Of the Ridged Carrion Beetle, BugGuide states:  “Adults consume fly larvae at carrion.”   Of the Margined Carrion Beetle, BugGuide states:  “Adults sometimes consume fly larvae (maggots) on carrion.”

Letter 9 – Mating American Carrion Beetles and Phoretic Mites

 

Subject: Bug Love – American Carrion Beetle
Location: Southwest Indiana
May 26, 2016 8:17 pm
Hello! I wanted to share some photos I took last summer of a pair of American Carrion Beetles with their mites. They were collected around some cat vomit…which might have had some mouse remains in it. (oh so pleasant!) Somehow the photo was forgotten until now – probably because I had embarrassment over taking bug love photos, ha ha!
Thank you for the awesome site. It’s my go-to place when I find a new bug, and I’ve never had to ask for identification – I always find what I’m looking for! We practice organic gardening on our little homestead, and I often find new creatures – so I visit your site often!
Thanks again!
Signature: Heather

Dear Heather,
We are so thrilled to find out that you find our site so helpful.  We are also thrilled to post your images of a pair of mating American Carrion Beetles and their Phoretic Mites.