Burying and Carrion Beetles

Burying and carrion beetles are sturdy, usually black insects measuring about 10 to 35 millimetres long. They have distinctive club-shaped antennae. Many have orange or red markings on their wing cases. These beetles are well known for their connection with dead animals, which they use for breeding. Some species show unusual care for their young, with pairs working together to bury small dead animals and look after their larvae underground. In the UK, there are about 21 species found in different places such as woodlands, grasslands, and gardens. They are easiest to find by looking for dead animals or using traps baited with carrion. Many species are strong fliers and find dead animals by smell, often arriving within hours after death. The family includes a wide range of sizes and lifestyles, from large burying beetles in the genus Nicrophorus to smaller species that feed on dead animals but do not bury their food.