#silphidae

[jenfoundabug]

I thought this feisty little critter was an isopod until I got a closer look. This is a carrion beetle larva, and, as their name suggests, adults and larvae of this insect eat dead animals, maggots that live in carrion, and/or other types of decaying organic matter. I have no idea where this one came from, since there were no dead animals nearby or compost. Perhaps an insectivorous bird dropped it, or maybe this particular species likes chicken manure (there was a chicken tractor nearby vroom vroom). Putting this next part below the cut because it's a little gross. Proceed with caution:

This carrion beetle child seemed somewhat hungry, as it was nibbling at some dead skin around my finger nail. It tickled a bit and reminded me of the shrimp they sometimes have at aquariums that will nibble at your fingers. Yes that's a thing.

unidentified Silphidae larva Northeastern Pennsylvania, US

[magpine]

making some posters for wheatpasting

can a poster convince you to love a beetle? hope so. ID in alt text

[reanimateobjects]

[coolbugs]

Bug of the Day

#TW snakes sneks deadthings

Ok, this is a little gross, so if you dislike gross or have a fear of snakes do not expand the post.

I found a dead garter snake in my back yard last week, and it had been there long enough to have all of these cool beetles devouring it, including this cool Margined Carrion Beetle (Oiceoptoma noveboracense). The beetle had died for whatever reason, I hope it maybe laid eggs in the snake carcass so its offspring can carry on.

[cnestus]

lords of the dingleboppers

[musiclovingmoth]

the sequel to longcat!

[pogomcl]

Sexton Beetle, Nicrophorus vespillo Canon 400D EF 100 2.8 f/4.5 1/80 iso: 400 radotin, czech Republic May 15, 2010

[unnaturalcuriositiesblog]

[worldofleaves]

[herpsandbirds]

Saw this beetle(?) just now and I've never seen it before in the area, do you know what it is?

Beetle ID - Western U.S.:

Hello yes this is a Burying Beetle in the genus Nicrophorus, family Silphidae, most likely Gold-necked or Tomentose Burying Beetle (Nicrophorus tomentosus).

Species Nicrophorus tomentosus - Tomentose Burying Beetle - BugGuide.Net

Layout 1 (mt.gov)

[onenicebugperday]

@noodleroni2 submitted: I dont know much other than this being some sort of burying beetle, however i thought it was very beautiful. i especially love the red-tipped antennae

I also love the antennae tips! It is indeed a burying beetle in the family Silphidae and likely the genus Nicrophorus. Can't tell you much more without a location though!

[sondersil]

my best friend came for a visit this weekend.

i showed them my favorite spots around my part of town. we drank tea, picked some snacks in the woods, discovered some beetles in the fields (pictured: Silphidae) and tried to sketch/watercolour with moderate success. found this funky lil' flower with petals that were bending in on itself (Silene nutans). went searching for trees to climb like we used to back in the day. poked mushrooms. they stuck a daisy in my hair (idk. i am someone that LOooOVES sticking flowers in people's hair, but haven't had someone do it to me before. it was just very cute, okay? okay.)

[reanimateobjects]

[amandi-mga2024mi5019]

Yellow Hat Research - Beetles as Decomposers

some families of beetles who are primary decomposers of our environment - Scarabaeidae, Geotrupidae, and Silphidae.

I was more drawn towards the Scarabaeidae due to their striking and varied appearances.

Scarabaeidae

Scarabs are stout-bodied beetles, many with bright metallic colours, measuring between 1.5 and 160 millimeters.

Dung Beetles - Dung Beetles are mainly decomposers of plants. They are hardy creatures that have been around since the time of the dinosaurs. Historians have linked images of scarabs and rolling dung to Ancient Egyptians beliefs around resurrection, as they believe Khepri rolls the sun across the sky each day and at night they roll it across some other world until they rebegin at daybreak.

Hercules Beetle -  inhabit the rainforests of Central and South America and are important decomposers in their ecosystems. Larvae consume decaying wood while adults feast on rotting fruit.

Goliath Beetle - As adults, they primarily feed on fruits, tree sap, and other plant materials. Goliath beetles play a crucial role in their ecosystems as scavengers and decomposers, contributing to the breakdown of organic matter and nutrient cycling in forest environments.

[cnestus]

tfw u die with your whole pussy out

[pogomcl]

Sexton Beetle, Nicrophorus vespillo Canon 400D EF 100 2.8 f/ 4.5 1/80 iso: 400 Radotin, Czech Republic 5/17/2010