Black sexton beetle
Nicrophorus humator
22 mmAdult individual · płeć nieokreślona
Body length
Body length
od przodu głowy do końca odwłoka · bez czułków, nóg i wystających skrzydełMeasurement: side
Black sexton beetle — size comparison
The black burying beetle differs from many other burying beetles in lacking orange wing-case bands. Its large, dark body contrasts with reddish antennal clubs.
Silhouette comparison
Length
od przodu głowy do końca odwłoka · bez czułków, nóg i wystających skrzydełScale for the stated dimensions · each animal is labelled
Measurement comparisonScale in cm
0246810
22 mm
8.56 cm
The scale compares the named dimensions. View direction and measurement points are given for each animal.
Black sexton beetle — size comparison — facts and sources
The black burying beetle differs from many other burying beetles in lacking orange wing-case bands. Its large, dark body contrasts with reddish antennal clubs. It lives in forests and other places offering carrion, and adults appear through much of the warm season.
A small dead vertebrate may become a breeding site. The beetles prepare this resource for meat-eating larvae. Burying and processing carrion restrict some competitors' access and help preserve food for developing offspring.
Adults also use other resources, including fungi. Their mobile antennae matter in locating scent sources. Similar uniformly dark species can be distinguished through pronotal and other structural details; size and absence of bands alone are not always sufficient.