120

CARRION BEETLES

SILPHIDAE

SILPHIDAE—Carrion Beetles

family

Silphidae

known species

200

distribution

Worldwide but concentrated in the

temperate zones, particularly in the northern

hemisphere. In the tropics few silphids are

found, and usually at higher altitudes

habitat

Woodland, moorland, plains, and wherever

a good supply of carrion occurs

size

7–35 mm

diet

Most species feed on carrion as larvae, and

on carrion and fly maggots as adults. Some

species feed on fungi, snails, or caterpillars

as adults and larvae

T

he small family Silphidae, which is sometimes

placed within the Staphylinidae, is divided

into two major subfamilies: the Silphinae and the

Nicrophorinae. The latter, comprising mainly the

large genus Nicrophorus, are the burying beetles or

sexton beetles. Male and female burying beetles,

acting together, will find a small carcass such as a

mouse or bird, and bury it by excavating the soil

beneath it, to protect it from vertebrate scavengers.

Once it is buried, they skin it, apply antibacterial

substances, kill and eat any fly eggs or maggots, and

the female lays eggs. Both sexes tend the growing

larvae by feeding them with pieces of the

carcass, which the larvae beg for like baby

birds. When the larvae pupate, the adults

leave in search of another carcass.

Silphinae are more generalist

carrion feeders or predators, with

a free-living active larva and usually

lacking advanced parental care.

Necrodes is attracted to large carcasses

such as those of deer or even humans.

The yellow and black Dendroxena are

caterpillar hunters in the tree canopy, and

Phosphuga are slug and snail predators.

The distribution of most Silphidae is strongly

restricted to temperate zones, especially those of the

below | Necrophila (Chrysosilpha)

viridis This beautiful diurnal

carrion-feeding species from

the Philippines is one of the

few tropical silphids.