Family: Silphidae, Carrion Beetles view all from this family

Description 1/16-1 5/8" (1.5-40 mm). Shiny black with bright orange or red markings, often bands or series of patches, across elytra. Elytra leave exposed several abdominal segments. Antennae clubbed; may be orange-tipped. Pronotum edges narrowly flattened. Pronotum bigger than head.

Food Dying and dead animals, including snakes, mice, or small birds; also fly larvae. Larvae of some species feed on plant matter.

Life Cycle Adults often drag a small carcass 16', bury it beneath loose dirt, then mate there. Others feed on large carrion without burying it. They may remove fur or feathers, work body into a ball shape then lay eggs. Adults care for larvae until larvae pupate, sometimes in a side tunnel. Parents leave, perhaps to raise other families elsewhere. Adults live up to 15 months.

Habitat Deciduous and mixed woods, adjacent fields.

Range Throughout North America.

Discussion These nocturnal beetles hide during the day. Adults rub abdominal segments against the inner surface of elytra to make a rasping sound. This noise summons the newly hatched larvae to food or threatens competitors when more than two beetles of opposite sexes attempt to work on the same small carrion.