Nicrophorus Tomentosus - Interesting Facts

Interesting Facts

N. tomentosus, also known as a burying beetle, is a very intriguing beetle. It exudes a very striking color pattern and displays very interesting behavior patterns. The behavior that these beetles are most noted for is the way they bury small vertebrate carcasses. This is not a frivolous action but a deed done to ensure the survival of their offspring. The interesting part is how these beetles put so much time into their parental care. The males are just as involved as the females. The adult beetles stay and protect their eggs until they pupate and if the female dies the male will step in and pick up the extra workload. Another interesting feature of the burying beetles is the presence of a club. A club is an end segment of their antennae that is enlarged and flattened. This aids in the detection of odors emitted from decaying carcasses. When a suitable carcass is found the adult beetles will spread antibiotic secretions over it to remove bacteria and fungi. Also is if the carcass is large then sharing will occur between two male or female pairs or uneven numbers of females and males.