Carrion-beetle
Guides
Nitidula bipunctata
two-spotted sap beetle, two-dots sap beetle
Nitidula bipunctata, commonly known as the two-spotted sap beetle, is a sap-feeding beetle in the family Nitidulidae. It has a holarctic distribution, occurring across Europe, Northern Asia (excluding China), and North America. The species is associated with carrion and decomposing organic matter, though its specific ecological relationships remain incompletely documented.
Nitidula flavomaculata
Yellow-spotted Nitidula, Yellow-spotted Sap Beetle
Nitidula flavomaculata is a sap-feeding beetle in the family Nitidulidae. Native to the Mediterranean Region, it has become naturalized in North America. The species is strongly associated with later stages of decay in mammalian corpses, making it valuable for forensic investigations. Its presence on carrion distinguishes it from many other sap beetles that feed primarily on plant exudates, pollen, or fungi.
Nitidula nigra
Nitidula nigra is a small sap-feeding beetle in the family Nitidulidae, first described by Schaeffer in 1911. The species is recorded from western and central Canada, including Alberta, British Columbia, and Manitoba. Like other members of its genus, it is associated with decomposing organic matter and carrion habitats.
Nitidula ziczac
Nitidula ziczac is a species of sap-feeding beetle in the family Nitidulidae. It is a small beetle, measuring 3–5 millimeters in length, and is known to associate with carrion. The species is found in North America, primarily from the Great Plains westward, and also occurs in Central America.
Oiceoptoma
Oiceoptoma is a genus of carrion beetles in the family Silphidae, comprising approximately ten described species distributed across the Holarctic region. These beetles are necrophagous, specializing in the consumption of vertebrate carcasses. The genus includes species of forensic importance due to their predictable habitat associations and seasonal activity patterns. Oiceoptoma noveboracense, the margined carrion beetle, is among the most studied species and serves as a model for understanding carrion beetle ecology in North America.
Oiceoptoma inaequale
Ridged Carrion Beetle
Oiceoptoma inaequale, commonly known as the ridged carrion beetle, is a North American species of carrion beetle in the family Silphidae. It is one of several Oiceoptoma species that specialize in consuming decaying animal matter. The species has been documented breeding on snake carcasses and participates in carcass-based food webs alongside blow flies and other necrophagous insects. Like related species, it likely contributes to nutrient cycling through the decomposition of vertebrate remains.
Oiceoptoma noveboracense
Margined Carrion Beetle
A medium-sized carrion beetle in the family Silphidae, distinguished by orange-red margins on the pronotum. Adults are diurnal and active primarily from spring through fall in deciduous forest habitats. The species produces one generation per year, with larvae and adults feeding on carrion and preying on fly larvae. It has forensic importance for estimating postmortem intervals based on succession patterns.
Omorgus asper
Rough Hide Beetle
Omorgus asper is a hide beetle in the family Trogidae, first described by LeConte in 1854. The species occurs in the southern United States and Mexico, where it inhabits arid and semi-arid environments. Like other Trogidae, it is associated with carrion and animal remains, playing a role in decomposition processes.
Omorgus howelli
Howell's hide beetle
Omorgus howelli is a hide beetle in the family Trogidae, native to the southern United States. First described in 1957, it was historically classified under the genus Trox but was reassigned to Omorgus in 2006 based on morphological and phylogenetic evidence. The species occurs in Florida and Texas, with additional records from Mexico and Peru. Like other Trogidae, it is associated with decomposing animal remains.
Omorgus inflatus
Omorgus inflatus is a species of hide beetle in the family Trogidae, described by Loomis in 1922. Members of this genus are commonly known as skin beetles and are associated with decomposing animal matter. The species has been recorded from the southwestern United States and northern Mexico.
Omorgus punctatus
Omorgus punctatus is a species of hide beetle in the family Trogidae, distributed across the southwestern and central United States and northern Mexico. The species is associated with carrion and dry animal remains, typical of the family. Adults are characterized by their punctured elytra, which contributes to the species epithet 'punctatus'.
Omorgus rubricans
Omorgus rubricans is a species of hide beetle in the family Trogidae, first described by Robinson in 1946. The species belongs to a genus known for its association with carrion and dung, playing important roles in decomposition. It is found in parts of Mexico and the southern United States.
Onthophilus lecontei
Leconte's clown beetle
Onthophilus lecontei is a species of clown beetle in the family Histeridae. It is known from North America, with records from California and other parts of the United States. The species was described by Horn in 1870. As a member of Onthophilus, it belongs to a genus associated with dung and carrion habitats.
Oxelytrum
carrion beetles
Oxelytrum is a genus of carrion beetles in the family Silphidae, containing approximately 10 described species distributed primarily in South America. Members are characterized by three distinct ridges on each elytron, a hairless pronotal disk, and 3-segmented antennal clubs. Most species are nocturnal and associated with decomposing animal remains. The genus has forensic significance due to predictable colonization patterns on carcasses.
Oxelytrum discicolle
Oxelytrum discicolle is a carrion beetle distributed throughout the Neotropical region from Mexico to Argentina. It is one of the most commonly collected silphid beetles in forensic entomology studies in South America. The species exhibits strictly nocturnal activity patterns and shows strong preference for carcasses in advanced stages of decomposition. Adults are attracted to decomposing vertebrate remains where they feed and likely reproduce.
Philonthus asper
Philonthus asper is a species of rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, described by Horn in 1884. It belongs to the large genus Philonthus, which comprises numerous predatory species commonly found in decaying organic matter, carrion, and fungal habitats. The species is documented from eastern North America, with records spanning Canada and the eastern United States. Like other members of its genus, it is presumed to be a predator of small invertebrates in microhabitats rich in decomposing material.
Philonthus debilis
Philonthus debilis is a rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae. As a member of the genus Philonthus, it belongs to a diverse group of predatory beetles commonly associated with carrion, dung, and other decomposing organic matter. The species has been recorded across a broad geographic range spanning the Palearctic region and has been introduced to North America. Like other Philonthus species, it likely plays a role in carrion succession as a predator on fly larvae and other small insects.
Philonthus schwarzi
Philonthus schwarzi is a rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, first described by Horn in 1884. The species is part of the large genus Philonthus, which contains numerous predatory rove beetles commonly associated with decaying organic matter and carrion habitats. It occurs across northern and eastern North America, with records from both the United States and Canada.
Phosphuga atrata
Black snail beetle
Phosphuga atrata is a European carrion beetle in the family Silphidae, commonly known as the black snail beetle. Adults are notable predators of live snails, using an elongated neck to reach into shells and spray digestive fluid to subdue prey. The species also feeds on insects, earthworms, and carrion. Larvae are similarly predatory on snails and pupate in soil. Coloration changes with age: young beetles are brownish, while mature adults become black.
Platycholeus leptinoides
Platycholeus leptinoides is a small carrion beetle in the family Leiodidae, described by Crotch in 1874. It is native to western North America, with records from California, Nevada, and Oregon. The species is termitophilous, indicating an association with termite colonies.
Platylomalus aequalis
clown beetle
Platylomalus aequalis is a species of clown beetle in the family Histeridae, originally described by Thomas Say in 1825 as Hister aequalis. This small beetle is widely distributed across North America, ranging from eastern Canada to the Rocky Mountains and south to Florida. As a member of the histerid beetles, it is associated with decomposing organic matter and carrion habitats.
Prionochaeta
small carrion beetles
Prionochaeta is a monotypic genus of small carrion beetles in the family Leiodidae. The sole described species, P. opaca, is found in North America and feeds on decaying animal matter. These beetles are part of the subfamily Cholevinae and contribute to decomposition and nutrient cycling in carrion habitats.
Prionochaeta opaca
Small Carrion Beetle
Prionochaeta opaca is a small carrion beetle in the family Leiodidae. It is one of two species in the genus Prionochaeta and is widely distributed across North America. The species is associated with carrion and decaying organic matter, though detailed biological studies remain limited.
Psiloscelis
Psiloscelis is a genus of clown beetles in the family Histeridae, established by Marseul in 1854. The genus contains approximately eight described species distributed in North America. Species in this genus are characterized by their association with carrion and decaying organic matter. The genus is taxonomically stable with no synonymy reported.
Ptomaphagus brevior
Ptomaphagus brevior is a small carrion beetle in the family Leiodidae, described by Jeannel in 1949. It belongs to a genus of beetles associated with decaying organic matter. The species has been documented across eastern and central North America, with records extending from Ontario and Quebec in Canada south to Texas.
Ptomaphagus californicus
Ptomaphagus californicus is a species of small carrion beetle in the family Leiodidae, described by J.L. LeConte in 1853. The species is known from California and broader North America. As a member of the carrion beetle family, it is associated with decomposing organic matter, though specific ecological details for this species remain limited in published sources.
Ptomaphagus cavernicola
small carrion beetle
Ptomaphagus cavernicola is a small carrion beetle in the family Leiodidae, first described by Schwarz in 1898. The species is found in Central America and North America, with distribution records from the United States (Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Indiana, Missouri, South Carolina, Texas) and Mexico. It belongs to the subgenus Adelops within Ptomaphagus.
Ptomaphagus fumosus
Ptomaphagus fumosus is a small carrion beetle in the family Leiodidae, described by Peck in 1979. It is one of many North American species in the genus Ptomaphagus, a group associated with decomposing organic matter. The species has been documented in the southeastern United States.
Ptomaphagus merritti
Ptomaphagus merritti is a small carrion beetle described by Tishechkin in 2007. The species belongs to the family Leiodidae, a group commonly associated with decomposing organic matter. It is known from a restricted distribution in the southeastern United States.
Ptomaphagus nevadicus
Ptomaphagus nevadicus is a small carrion beetle in the family Leiodidae, first described by Horn in 1880. It is a member of the subfamily Cholevinae, a group commonly associated with decomposing organic matter. The species has a broad distribution across western and central North America, extending into Mexico.
Ptomaphagus ulkei
Ptomaphagus ulkei is a small carrion beetle in the family Leiodidae, described by Horn in 1885. It is distributed across eastern North America, with records from Alabama, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, New York, Virginia, and Washington D.C. As a member of the subfamily Cholevinae, it is associated with carrion and decomposing organic matter.
Saprinus fimbriatus
Saprinus fimbriatus is a species of clown beetle in the family Histeridae, subfamily Saprininae. It is native to western North America, with records from the western United States, southwestern Canada, and Mexico. As with other histerid beetles, it is likely associated with carrion and decomposing animal matter, though specific ecological details for this species remain limited. The species was described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1851.
Saprinus lubricus
Saprinus lubricus is a species of clown beetle (family Histeridae) in the subfamily Saprininae. It was described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1851. The species is distributed across North America from Canada to Central America, with records extending south to Argentina and Chile. Like other hister beetles, it is likely associated with carrion and decomposing organic matter, though specific ecological details for this species are limited.
Saprinus lugens
clown beetle
Saprinus lugens is a small clown beetle in the family Histeridae, measuring 5–8 mm. The species has a broad geographic distribution spanning Europe, Northern Asia (excluding China), Central America, and North America. It has been introduced to parts of Europe including France, Italy, Portugal, and Spain. The beetle is predatory and commonly associated with carrion, where it feeds on other small insects.
Saprinus oregonensis
clown beetle
Saprinus oregonensis is a species of clown beetle in the family Histeridae, first described by LeConte in 1844. The species is distributed across western North America, with records from Canada (Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan), the United States (California, Colorado, New Mexico, Oregon, Washington), and Mexico. As a member of the Saprininae subfamily, it belongs to a group of predatory beetles commonly associated with carrion, dung, and other decomposing organic matter.
Saprinus scabriceps
Saprinus scabriceps is a species of clown beetle in the family Histeridae, described by Casey in 1916. Like other members of the genus Saprinus, it is likely associated with carrion and decomposing organic matter. The species has been recorded from the western United States, specifically Nevada and Oregon. As with most histerids, it is presumed to be predatory on other insects, particularly fly larvae, in its habitat.
Saprinus subnitescens
clown beetle
Saprinus subnitescens is a species of clown beetle in the family Histeridae. It has been recorded from Africa, Europe, Northern Asia (excluding China), and North America. The species was described by Bickhardt in 1909. As a member of the genus Saprinus, it belongs to a group of small, predatory beetles commonly associated with carrion and dung habitats.
Saprinus vitiosus
Saprinus vitiosus is a species of clown beetle in the family Histeridae, first described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1851. It belongs to the subfamily Saprininae, a group of small, predatory beetles commonly associated with carrion and dung. The species has been recorded from the southwestern United States and Mexico. Like other hister beetles, it is likely predatory on other insects in decaying organic matter.
Sciodrepoides latinotum
Sciodrepoides latinotum is a small carrion beetle in the family Leiodidae, described by Peck & Cook in 2002. It belongs to the subfamily Cholevinae, a group commonly associated with decomposing organic matter and subterranean habitats. The species is known from the eastern and central United States, with records spanning from the Mid-Atlantic to the Great Plains and Gulf Coast.
Sciodrepoides terminans
Sciodrepoides terminans is a small carrion beetle in the family Leiodidae, first described by J.L. LeConte in 1850. The species occurs across much of North America, with documented records from Canada and the United States. As a member of the subfamily Cholevinae, it belongs to a group commonly associated with decomposing organic matter.
Silpha tristis
Silpha tristis is a carrion beetle species first described by Illiger in 1798. It belongs to the family Silphidae, a group associated with decomposition and carrion feeding. The species has a broad distribution across the Palearctic region and has been introduced to North America.
Thanatophilus coloradensis
Thanatophilus coloradensis is a species of carrion beetle in the family Silphidae. It is found in western North America, with records from Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming, Alaska, and British Columbia. Like other members of its genus, it is associated with decomposing animal remains. The species was described by Wickham in 1902.
Thanatophilus lapponicus
Northern Carrion Beetle, Silky Carrion Beetle
Thanatophilus lapponicus, the Northern Carrion Beetle, is a holarctic species in the family Silphidae. It is one of the most widespread carrion beetles in the northern hemisphere, occurring across boreal and temperate regions of Europe, Asia, and North America. The species is associated with decomposing animal remains, particularly in cooler climates where its densely hairy body may provide thermal insulation. Adults are active from early spring through autumn and are frequently encountered in forensic entomology contexts.
Thanatophilus sagax
Carrion Beetle
Thanatophilus sagax is a carrion beetle in the family Silphidae. It inhabits northern regions of North America, with records from Alaska through western Canada and into the northwestern United States. Like other members of its genus, it is associated with decomposing animal remains. The species was described by Mannerheim in 1853.
Thanatophilus trituberculatus
Cold-shore Carrion Beetle
Thanatophilus trituberculatus is a carrion beetle in the family Silphidae. The species occurs across northern regions of both North America and Eurasia. It is associated with cold environments, as indicated by its common name "Cold-shore Carrion Beetle" and its distribution in subarctic and boreal zones. Like other members of its genus, it likely feeds on decomposing animal matter.
Thanatophilus truncatus
Northern Carrion Beetle, Silky Carrion Beetle
Thanatophilus truncatus is a carrion beetle in the family Silphidae, found across Central and North America. As a member of the genus Thanatophilus, it is associated with decomposing animal matter and plays a role in nutrient cycling. The species was first described by Thomas Say in 1823 and is documented from the southwestern United States through Mexico.
Trox
hide beetles
Trox is a genus of hide beetles in the family Trogidae, subfamily Troginae. The genus currently contains approximately 70 species divided among three subgenera: Trox (Trox), Trox (Niditrox), and Trox (Granulitrox). These beetles are specialized scavengers that colonize animal remains in advanced stages of decomposition, feeding on dried skin, hair, feathers, and connective tissue. They are among the last insects to visit carcasses, appearing after most other carrion fauna have departed. The genus has undergone significant taxonomic revision, with former subgenera Phoberus and Glyptotrox elevated to full genera and numerous species synonymized.
Trox capillaris
Hide beetle
Trox capillaris is a species of hide beetle in the family Trogidae, first described by Thomas Say in 1824. As a member of this family, it is associated with the late stages of vertebrate decomposition, feeding on dried skin, hair, feathers, and connective tissue. The species occurs in the Nearctic region, primarily in the central and eastern United States and southern Canada.
Trox frontera
Trox frontera is a hide beetle in the family Trogidae, first described by Vaurie in 1955. It is currently treated as a synonym of Glyptotrox frontera. Members of this genus are cryptic beetles that specialize in consuming dried animal remains, including skin, hair, feathers, and connective tissue. They are among the final colonizers of carcasses, arriving after most other insects have departed.
Trox hamatus
Hide beetle
Trox hamatus is a hide beetle in the family Trogidae, currently classified under the genus Glyptotrox. It is a Nearctic species found primarily in the eastern and central United States and southern Canada. Like other trogids, it feeds on dried animal remains, including skin, hair, feathers, and connective tissue. The species was described by Robinson in 1940 and is now treated as a synonym of Glyptotrox hamatus in modern classifications.