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Project Noah Nature School
Nicrophorus orbicollis
Burying beetle, carrion beetle
woodland, front porch
This beetle came to the porch light. Note the mites. The mites are not parasitic, there just along for the ride to the next carcass. This beetle prefers smaller carcasses such as birds, chipmunks, rodents. The male can detect a carcass from over a mile away. Once he finds the carcass he emits a pheromone to attract a female. When she arrives they both move the carcass to the perfect location and proceed to bury it, usually about 6" under. The pair mate and the female lays eggs in the surrounding soil. Eggs hatch and the larvae enter the carcass. Both parents then feed the larvae by regurgitating carrion. After about a week the larvae pupate in the soil and the parents leave. Mites are in the genus Poecilochirus. The beetles protect and transport the mites and the mites eat fly eggs, reducing competition for the beetle larvae.
Spotted on Oct 2, 2012
Submitted on Nov 19, 2012
6 Comments
I moved the third photo into the 1st spotlight position (just learning how to do things here). And yes Argy Bee, I heard him way before I ever saw him.
Is he really going to fly !! Must sound like a Chinook when it does. Fabulous spotting Diane including the mites.
Hey Keith, thank you ! I just discovered Project Noah today. That last photo was purely luck. I was getting ready to snap the shot and he took off right at that second.
Hey Diane, I've just recently noticed your photos here. Awesome stuff. I am thrilled you have added this spotting to the Beetles! mission. I agree with Fyn, that last photo is amazing.
Thank you Fyn
Love the 3rd shot! Very nice!