274 



FAMILY VIII. SILPHID/E. 



black elytra, which are truncate at tip. and ornamented with con- 

 spicuous reddish-yellow spots. The head is 

 large, suddenly narrowed in front cf eyes and 

 also at a little distance behind them. The an- 

 tenna? are spoken of as ten-jointed, but the 

 true second joint appears as a node at the base 

 of the one usually called the second. (Fig. 

 134.) They are frequently known as "sexton 

 Fig. 134. xecrophorus: i, beetles." on account of their habits of burying 



antennz; 2. tarsu*; 3, head 



from beneath. 



(After Westwood.) 



small mammals and snakes, 

 been taken in Indiana. 



Six species have 



KEY TO INDIANA SPECIES OF NECROPHORUS. 



. Hind, and usually the middle, tibire curved or arcuate. 



&. Thorax orbicular, its sides and base with wide, flattened margins, 



disk finely and sparsely punctulate. 

 c. Disk of thorax red ; elytra without erect hairs. 



533. AMERICANUS. 



cc. Disk of thorax black ;' elytra with erect hairs. 534. SAVI. 



II). Thorax transversely cordate, its sides narrowly margined and sin- 

 uate at middle; disk smooth; first joint of antennal club red. 



535. MARGINATUS. 



aa. Tibia? straight, not arcuate. 



d. Thorax orbicular as in dincricinnis and sai/i. 530. ORBICOLLIS. 



(Id. Thorax transversely oval, very little narrowed behind ; sides and base 



broadly margined. 



c. Disk of thorax glabrous ; antennal club orange, the first joint pic- 

 eous. 537. PUSTULATUS. 



ee. Disk of thorax densely pubescent ; antenual club piceous. 



538. TOMENTOSUS. 



533 (1695). NECROPHORrs AMERICANS Oliv.. Ent, II, 1790, 0. 

 Elongate, robust. Black, shining; vertex, disk of 



thorax, epipleural fold and two large irregular 

 transverse spots on each elytron, orange-red ; an- 

 tenure black, the club orange-red. Thorax wider 

 than long, truncate in front; disk with a few scat- 

 tered punctures along the margins. Length 27- 

 35 mm. (Fig. 135.) 



Marion, Vigo and Posey counties; fre- 

 quent. April 28- August 11. Probably occurs 

 throughout the State. Often attracted by 

 electric light. Our largest species, readily 

 known by its size and the color of head and 

 thorax. 



534 (1(500). NKCROPHORUS SAYI Lap.. Hist. Nat. 



II, 1839, 2. 

 Elongate, moderately robust. Resembles orbiool- 



Fig. 135. 



(Original.) 



