Nicrophorus americanus Life

Backlund, Douglas C., Marrone, Gary M., Williams, Christopher K. & Tilmon, Kelley, 2008, Population Estimate of the Endangered American Burying Beetle, Nicrophorus americanus Olivier (Coleoptera: Silphidae) in South Dakota, The Coleopterists Bulletin 62 (1), pp. 9-15 : 9-15

Nicrophorus americanus Life History

Life history information is taken from Raithel (1991). Like other members of the genus, N. americanus relies on carrion as a food supply. During brood- rearing, carrion is interred in an underground chamber, where one or both adults provide protection and parental care to the young. Nicrophorus americanus is the largest Nicrophorus species in North America. While smaller species may reproduce on small carrion, N. americanus has optimal reproduction utilizing carrion weighing in the range of 100 to 250 g. The species is univoltine. In Rhode Island, most breeding activity occurs in June and July. Burying beetles locate carrion using antennal chemoreceptors. Once a suitable carrion source is located, the beetles bury the carcass, clean it of feathers or fur, and preserve the food supply with anal and oral secretions. Eggs are laid in the brood chamber. At least one adult remains in the chamber until tenerals emerge. The larvae pupate in the soil for about 48–60 days. Teneral beetles emerge in July and August in Rhode Island.

Tenerals overwinter and constitute the entire breeding population of the next year. Breeding age adults become senescent following breeding and perish sometime after emergence of the tenerals.