Tomentose Burying Beetle

Description:

Gold-necked carrion beetle, or Tomentose burying beetle (Nicrophorus tomentosus), is a species of burying beetle that was described by Friedrich Weber in 1801.[1][2] The beetle belongs to the Silphidae family which are carrion beetles. The beetles have sensitive antennae that contain olfactory organs. Thus, the beetle can locate dead animals (carcass), and then as the name suggests, can bury them.[3] However, unlike other burying beetles, N. tomentosus does not feed these brood carcasses. They instead eliminate the soil under the carcass, so the carcass will sink underneath.[4] Recognition of these beetles can be distinguished by its black color with orange markings on the wing covers (elytra).[5]

Notes:

found on my deck by my dog. Probably a dead cottontail rabbit under my deck..ugh