Silphidae - Taxonomy and Etymology

Taxonomy and Etymology

The family Silphidae belongs to the order Coleoptera. They are commonly referred to as carrion beetles or burying beetles and are usually associated with carrion, fungi, and dung. This family has two main subfamilies, Silphinae and Nicrophorinae. The subfamilies are divided primarily on behavioral foundations. Members of the subfamily Silphinae show little to no care for their young and breed on large carrion. Nicrophorinae breed on small carrion and will bury themselves and their food to rear their offspring in a bi-parental manner. There are approximately 183 species in this family, which are found worldwide. The Nicrophorus americanus, known as the American Burying Beetle, is an endangered species. The word "silphid" or "sylph", first seen in the sixteenth century in Paracelsus' works, refers to any race of spirits inhabiting the air and is described as mortal, but lacking soul. The word is also related to the Latin word sylva meaning "slender, graceful girl" and the Greek word nymph meaning "light, airy movements".