Nicrophorus Orbicollis - Reproduction

Reproduction

N. orbicollis depends on small vertebrate carcasses to supply their young with an adequate food requirement. N. orbicollis mates mid-June to early August and is mostly active after sunset. First, the male attracts the female by producing pheromones. Competition occurs between other burying beetles and other carrion competitors to secure a carcass for mating. It is commonly seen that N. orbicollis will compete with N. defodiens. The larger in size the beetle, the more likely it is to outcompete smaller beetles in acquiring a carcass. Once the carcass has been secured and buried, the female lays her eggs in the soil surrounding the carcass. The larvae typically hatch 5–7 days later. Both the female and male have important roles as their larvae mature. Preservation of the carcass, protecting the larvae from predators and feeding the larvae are all roles taken on by the adults. The males then disperse from the carcass once the larvae have reached the final instar. The females will stay until the larvae disperse into the soil to pupate, usually 17 days after carcass burial. Depending on the size of the carcass, the parents can control the number of offspring through a process called filial cannibalism. The parents do this to allow more space on a smaller carcass.