Margined carrion beetle

Description:

Oiceoptoma noveboracense larvae range from light brown to dark reddish in color. The larvae are typically flat and trilobite-like in appearance. They are capable of moving locations during their development. The adults average from 13 to 15 millimetres (0.5 to 0.6 in) long. The middle of the pronotum (dorsal side, first segment of the thorax) on this beetle is dark-brown to black in color. The outer margins are outlined in a bright orange-red (salmon colored).[2] The elytra are hardened forewings used to protect the fragile hind wings underneath. The elytra are attached to the suture that runs down the middle of the beetle's back and range from reddish-brown to black.[4] They have a distinctive tooth at the shoulder and the vertical ridges are very apparent. This elytra apex is rounded on males, whereas it is more tapered on the female body. O. noveboracense have temple regions behind their eyes that have a long line of erect setae that are of a yellowish tint and the inner tomora is a ridge-free region. The metatibiae are enlarged on the males ranging from moderate to large in size. (information from Wikipedia) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Similar, but smaller than the more common Necrophila americana. In this species the black mark on the pronotum extends to the base. Edges of pronotum tinged with yellow or orange. O. inaequale is similar but lacks the orange on the pronotum--it is entirely black. (information from BugGuide)

Habitat:

Wooded area

Notes:

My first beetle of 2013 and it was found on a dead armadillo along a hiking trail. I was so excited to find it!