Silphidae
Guides
Necrophila
carrion beetles
Necrophila is a genus of carrion beetles in the family Silphidae, comprising approximately 20 species distributed primarily across Asia and India, with a single North American species, N. americana. The genus name derives from Greek roots meaning 'attracted to corpses,' reflecting their ecological association with decomposing animal matter. These beetles are significant forensic indicators and play important roles in carrion decomposition and nutrient cycling.
Necrophila americana
American Carrion Beetle
Necrophila americana is a North American carrion beetle in the family Silphidae. Adults and larvae feed on decomposing animal flesh and also prey on fly larvae that compete for the same resources. Unlike burying beetles in the genus Nicrophorus, this species does not bury carcasses. Adults have been observed at sap flows on oak trees and in fermenting bait traps. The species has been documented in forensic entomology contexts due to its predictable association with decomposing remains.
Nicrophorus americanus
American burying beetle, giant carrion beetle
Nicrophorus americanus is a federally threatened burying beetle endemic to North America and the largest member of its genus. Adults are nocturnal, strong fliers capable of traveling up to one kilometer per night while searching for carrion. The species exhibits elaborate biparental care, with both sexes cooperating to locate, bury, and prepare vertebrate carcasses for their offspring. Once abundant across 35 U.S. states and parts of Canada, it now occupies less than 10% of its historic range due to habitat loss, carrion scarcity, and other factors.
Nicrophorus defodiens
Boreal Burying Beetle
Nicrophorus defodiens is a burying beetle species first described by Mannerheim in 1846. It is one of at least two burying beetle species known to breed in the forest canopy. The species exhibits communal breeding behavior, where multiple male-female associations share parental care duties on larger vertebrate carcasses. It produces approximately twice as many eggs as the related N. orbicollis, with clutch sizes averaging around 24 eggs.
Nicrophorus mexicanus
Mexican burying beetle
Nicrophorus mexicanus is a burying beetle in the family Silphidae, described by Matthews in 1888. The species is distributed across the southwestern United States and Central America, including Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras. As a member of the genus Nicrophorus, it exhibits the characteristic behavior of burying small vertebrate carcasses to serve as food for developing larvae.
burying-beetlecarrion-beetleSilphidaeNicrophorinaeMatthews-1888scavengervertebrate-carcassparental-caresouthwestern-United-StatesCentral-AmericaMexicoGuatemalaEl-SalvadorHondurasArizonaCaliforniaColoradoKansasNew-MexicoNevadaTexasUtahIowadecompositioncarrionNicrophorusbeetleColeopterainsectarthropodNicrophorus tomentosus
Gold-necked carrion beetle, Tomentose burying beetle
Nicrophorus tomentosus is a burying beetle (family Silphidae) distinguished by a dense patch of golden-yellow setae on the pronotum. Unlike most congeners, it does not completely bury carcasses; instead, it excavates shallow pits beneath small vertebrate remains and covers them with leaf litter. Adults exhibit biparental care, feeding larvae regurgitated carrion. The species is active from May through October, peaking in July and August, and overwinters as prepupae—a trait unique among sympatric Nicrophorus species. Behavioral dominance in competitive interactions is determined primarily by body size rather than species identity.
Nicrophorus vespilloides
Lesser Vespillo Burying Beetle
Nicrophorus vespilloides is a burying beetle in the family Silphidae, characterized by its distinctive orange-yellow elytral bands and black antennae. The species exhibits facultative biparental care, with both parents cooperating to locate, bury, and prepare small vertebrate carcasses as food resources for their larvae. This species serves as a prominent model organism for studying social immunity, parental care, and the evolution of complex social behaviors in insects. It has a Holarctic distribution spanning northern Eurasia and North America, with documented associations with phoretic mites and nematodes that influence its fitness and reproduction.
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 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.
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
carrion beetles, silky carrion beetles
Thanatophilus is a genus of approximately 12 described species of carrion beetles in the family Silphidae. These beetles are primarily necrophagous, feeding on decaying animal matter. They occupy the Holarctic and Afrotropical realms and are frequently detected on large carrion, including human remains. Several species are forensically important for estimating time of colonization and post-mortem intervals.
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.