Vespillo Burying Beetle

The Vespillo Burying Beetle is a noticeable beetle that measures between 12 and 22 millimetres long. It has a black body with orange-red bands across its wing covers. Unlike some related beetles, these bands are usually solid and fairly wide. Its antennae end in bright orange tips. This beetle is found across Britain and much of Europe. It lives in woodlands, grasslands, and gardens where there are small dead animals available. Adults are active from April to September and are mostly active at night. They can sense dead animals from quite far away. Both the male and female work together to bury small dead creatures like mice or birds. They prepare the dead animal and look after their young by feeding them. The orange bands help to tell this beetle apart from a similar but less common beetle called the Investigator Burying Beetle, which usually has broken or thinner bands.