American Carrion Beetle

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Necrophila americana: /nɛkroʊˈfaɪlə əˌmɛrɪˈkeɪnə/

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Summary

The American Carrion Beetle (Necrophila americana) is a distinctive beetle with a yellow pronotum, primarily found in North America. It plays a crucial role in decomposition, feeding on carrion and fly larvae and is significant in forensic studies due to its feeding habits and lifecycle patterns.

Physical Characteristics

N. americana has a large, broadly rounded, and flattened body with a distinctive yellow pronotum. It typically measures 13-20 mm in length. Males have rounded elytral apices while females have more prolonged apices. The larvae are characterized by their black color, two-segmented urogomphi, and numerous plates on the sensory area of the second antennal segment.

Identification Tips

Distinguished from Oiceoptoma noveboracense by its larger size (13-20 mm) and lack of a cross-shaped dark pronotal spot. In flight, it resembles a bumblebee or carpenter bee.

Habitat

Prefers moist wooded areas, dense forests, and marshy habitats. More commonly found in denser, humid environments rather than open meadows.

Distribution

North America, ranging from Eastern Texas to Florida in the south, and Minnesota to southeastern Canada (including New Brunswick and Maine) in the north.

Diet

Adults and larvae consume carrion, fly larvae (maggots), and the larvae of other carrion beetles, showing a preference for larger carrion (rat-sized or larger).

Life Cycle

The life cycle spans approximately 10-12 weeks, involving three instar stages. Larvae hatch and begin feeding on carrion almost immediately after hatching.

Reproduction

Eggs are laid singly on or near carrion. There is no parental care once the eggs are laid.

Ecosystem Role

Important for the decomposition process; contributes to the recycling of nutrients by consuming carrion and competing larvae.

Cultural Significance

Valuable in forensic studies as they are one of the first insects to arrive at carrion, which helps determine the time of death.

Collecting Methods

• Pitfall traps baited with carcasses
• Pitfall traps containing isopropanol

Similar Taxa

• Oiceoptoma noveboracense
• Thanatophilus lapponicus

Misconceptions

Often confused with bumblebees due to mimicry and similar flight patterns.

Tags

• Necrophila americana
• American Carrion Beetle
• silphidae
• carrion beetle