Flat Brown Scavenger Beetle

Necrophilus hydrophiloides

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Suborder: Polyphaga
Superfamily: Staphylinoidea
Family: Agyrtidae
Genus: Necrophilus
Species: hydrophiloides

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Necrophilus hydrophiloides: /nɛˈkrɒfɪləs haɪˌdrɒfɪˈlɔɪdiːz/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Necrophilus hydrophiloides Guérin-Méneville by Michael K. Oliver, Ph.D.. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Summary

Necrophilus hydrophiloides is a species of flat brown scavenger beetle in the Agyrtidae family, known for its ecological role in the decomposition of organic matter.

Physical Characteristics

5-13 mm in length, winged species.

Identification Tips

Distinctive flat shape common to scavenger beetles.

Habitat

Wet coastal forests.

Distribution

Found along the West Coast of North America, from Alaska to California.

Diet

Primarily feeds on decaying organic matter, particularly carrion.

Life Cycle

Active from November to May in California; larval stages are present during this time.

Ecosystem Role

As a scavenger, it plays a crucial role in the decomposition process by breaking down carrion and recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem.

Evolution

Primitive carrion beetle characteristics.