274 



FAMILY Till. SILPHIDJE. 



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

 spicuous reddish-yellow spots. The head is 

 large, suddenly narrowed in front of 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. 

 1310 They are frequently known as "sexton 

 Fig. 131 Neerophorus: i. beetles." on account of their habits of burying 



antenna; 2. tarsus; 3, head .... , -, , . t 



from beneath. small mammals and snakes. Six species nave 



(After Westwood.) . . 



been taken m Indiana. 



KEY TO INDIANA SPECIES OE XECROPHORUS. 



a. Hind, and usually the middle, tibiae curved or arcuate. 



6. 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. AMERICAXUS. 



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



1)1). Thorax transversely cordate, its sides narrowly margined and sin- 

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



535. MARGIXATCS. 



aa. Tibia? straight, not arcuate. 



d. Thorax orbicular as in am eric anus and sayi. 536. obbicollis. 



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

 broadly margined. 

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

 eous. 537. pustulates. 



ee. Disk of thorax densely pubescent : antennal club piceous. 



538. tomentosus. 



533 (1695). Xecrophores americanus Oliv.. Ent. II. 1790. 6. 

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



thorax, epipleural fold' and two large irregular 

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

 tennae 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 23-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 (1696). Xecrophorus sayi Lap.. Hist. Nat. 



II. 1839, 2. 



Elongate, moderately robust. Resembles or~bicol- 



Fig. 13o. X H. (Original.) 



