350 TEXT-BOOK OF ZOOLOGY 



Family 4: Carrion Beetles (Silphidae). 



The Sexton or Burying Beetle (Nccrophorus vespillo). 



(Length f inch.) 



If the dead body of a small vertebrate be allowed to lie exposed in 

 the open air, a large number of carrion beetles soon make their appear- 

 ance, among which burying beetles are certain to occur. The beetle is 

 black, but easily distinguished by two red or yellow bands on the wing- 

 covers. The latter are very short and do not completely cover the 

 abdomen ; hence the uncovered portion of the dorsal surface, like the 

 under side, is strongly chitinized. (Contrast with cockchafer and 

 others.) By the help of their remarkably keen sense of smell (antennae 

 club-shaped) these beetles, even from a distance, scent the carrion on 

 which they, as well as their larvae, feed. To prevent, however, other 

 carrion-feeders from snatching the spoil from their offspring, the solicitous 



parents bury the carcase (hence the name). 

 As a rule, several individuals unite in this 

 work, creeping underneath the dead animal and 

 scraping away the earth so that the carcase 

 sinks slowly down into, and finally disappears 

 in, the ground. The beetle is equipped for 

 these operations by the possession of -digging or 

 fossorial legs. The middle and hinder pairs 

 S. B *SL 1 2SS f legs. socially strong, and the second 

 AND THE HIND-WINGS UN- and third thoracic segments are correspond- 



ingly larger than the first (see cockchafer, 

 (About natural size.) Section A, 1, d and c). After the carcase has 

 been buried the female deposits a number of 



eggs in it, in this way richly providing food for the emerging larva. The 

 beetle is protected against the attack of insectivorous enemies by its musk- 

 like smell and also by an ill-smelling fluid which it exudes when attacked 

 (see gold beetle) . The insect can produce a creaking sound by the friction 

 of two furrowed longitudinal bars against a transverse bar placed under 

 the ends of the wing-cases. As this sound is only emitted when the beetle 

 is attacked, it probably serves as a means of inspiring fear in enemies. 

 (Compare with the hissing of snakes, the spitting of a cat, etc.) These 

 protective arrangements do not, however, frighten off the troublesome 

 beetle-mites, which crawl on to this insect as well as humble-bees and 

 dung-beetles during their stay on or in the ground. 



