INSECTS

COLEOPTERA / CARRION BEETLES

Carrion Beetles are the undertakers of the insect world. Sextons look after churchyards and their chores include gravedigging so these beetles are also known as Sexton Beetles. They fly long distances smelling out carrion on which to feed. They dig the soil underneath carcasses of small animals so that the corpse sinks into the ground which then becomes a food source for their larvae when they hatch out.

Common Sexton Beetle Nicrophorus vespilloides (12mm) is a black beetle with distinctive orange patterning on the wing cases. This species has a beneficial relationship with mites that are sometimes seen hitching a lift around the neck.

Black Sexton Beetle Nicrophorus humator (20-30 mm) is a common all-black species with orange-tipped antennae. They are usually seen from April to September. This species is sometimes attracted to UV light emitted from moth traps.