fledged can also reveal large numbers of small

beetles and their larvae feeding on the debris left

behind, or as predators on other nest inhabitants.

The majority of beetles in vertebrate nests are

scavengers, and are harmless or even useful (for

example, by clearing up dung or feeding on

parasites or fungi) to the nest builders.

There are a few species, however, that have

crossed the line into harming their hosts. Burying

beetles of the genus Nicrophorus (Silphidae), usually

scavengers, can be attracted to vertebrate nests to

feed and rear their larvae on young that have died

or unhatched rotting eggs. The North American

species Nicrophorus pustulatus has been found to

attack live, healthy snake eggs within the snakes’

nesting mound, the beetle larvae developing inside

the eggs and killing them in the process, acting

as a parasitoid instead of a scavenger. Some

Trogidae such as Omorgus suberosus may do the

same thing in the nests of sea turtles, and may

pose a risk to some threatened species.

Only very few genera of Staphylinidae and

Leiodidae have made the step to living on the host

animal itself, and even these are not usually true

parasites; instead they feed on flakes of skin, hair,

and other organic matter, or even on other insects.

left | Platypsyllus castoris

(Leiodidae) The Beaver Beetle

has reduced wings and lives

among the fur of beavers.

This one is on a beaver’s tail.

below | Omorgus suberosus

(Trogidae) Larvae of this carrion

beetle may attack and kill the eggs

of the rare Olive Ridley sea turtle

in Mexico.