Nicrophorus americanus Olivier 1790

American burying beetle

Species recognized by The Integrated Taxonomic Information System external link, T Orrell (custodian) in 
IUCN Red List Status: Critically Endangered (CR) external link Showing: scientific names

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Nicrophorus americanus Olivier 1790

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Nicrophorus americanus Olivier 1790
Nicrophorus americanus
Nicrophorus americanus
Nicrophorus americanus
Nicrophorus americanus
Nicrophorus americanus (Olivier, 1790)

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Overview

Biology

Source and Additional Information
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ARKive external link
Copyright
Copyright Wildscreen 2003-2008. Some rights reserved external link
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Citation

Burying beetles receive their common name from their specialised mechanism of parental care that involves providing the growing larvae with carrion upon which to feed. At night, beetle pairs will locate a suitable carcass and then cooperate to bury it in the soil, thus protecting their find from competition with other species (2). Once the carcass is beneath the soil, the beetles strip away the fur or feathers and produce a compact ball; the female then lays her eggs in a chamber created above the carcass (2). Unusually for insects, the parents both remain to provide for the larvae after they have hatched, regurgitating food for the growing grubs until they are able to feed for themselves (2). Roughly a week later, the larvae pupate in the soil nearby, having consumed the entire food supply; they will emerge as adults around a month later and overwinter in this stage (2). American burying beetles only live for one season and adults die soon after they have ceased to provide for their young (2).
"Nicrophorus americanus Olivier 1790". Encyclopedia of Life, available from "http://www.eol.org/pages/1044544". Accessed 20 Mar 2010.