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Roundneck Sexton Beetle - Nicrophorus orbicollis *Sadly, I didn&#039;t get any good shots of this beetle. It insisted on resting in awkward spots and was covered in mites. I considered moving it so I could get a shot, but honestly, I didn&#039;t want to touch it. <br /> <br /> TL: ~25 mm. Shiny black burying beetle with a nearly circular pronotum, orange antennal club, and a distinct pattern of orange splotches on the elytra. Underside has brown pubescence. Hosts: Carrion<br /> <br /> Habitat: Attracted to a 395 nm LED light in a semi-rural area<br /> <figure class="photo"><a href="https://www.jungledragon.com/image/81115/roundneck_sexton_beetle_-_nicrophorus_orbicollis.html" title="Roundneck Sexton Beetle - Nicrophorus orbicollis"><img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.jungledragon.com/images/3232/81115_thumb.jpg?AWSAccessKeyId=05GMT0V3GWVNE7GGM1R2&Expires=1759968010&Signature=JThumfwihT9s05bo4HjkraSxACs%3D" width="200" height="166" alt="Roundneck Sexton Beetle - Nicrophorus orbicollis *Sadly, I didn&#039;t get any good shots of this beetle. It insisted on resting in awkward spots and was covered in mites. I considered moving it so I could get a shot, but honestly, I didn&#039;t want to touch it. <br /> <br /> TL: ~25 mm. Shiny black burying beetle with a nearly circular pronotum, orange antennal club, and a distinct pattern of orange splotches on the elytra. Underside has brown pubescence. Hosts: Carrion<br /> <br /> Habitat: Attracted to a 395 nm LED light in a semi-rural area<br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/81117/roundneck_sexton_beetle_-_nicrophorus_orbicollis.html<br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/81116/roundneck_sexton_beetle_-_nicrophorus_orbicollis.html Geotagged,Nicrophorus orbicollis,Summer,United States,beetle,burying beetle,nicrophorus,roundneck sexton beetle" /></a></figure><br /> <figure class="photo"><a href="https://www.jungledragon.com/image/81116/roundneck_sexton_beetle_-_nicrophorus_orbicollis.html" title="Roundneck Sexton Beetle - Nicrophorus orbicollis"><img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.jungledragon.com/images/3232/81116_thumb.jpg?AWSAccessKeyId=05GMT0V3GWVNE7GGM1R2&Expires=1759968010&Signature=A19lZp3Za6hfcv335ZpA7B5B9xs%3D" width="200" height="146" alt="Roundneck Sexton Beetle - Nicrophorus orbicollis *Sadly, I didn&#039;t get any good shots of this beetle. It insisted on resting in awkward spots and was covered in mites. I considered moving it so I could get a shot, but honestly, I didn&#039;t want to touch it. <br /> <br /> TL: ~25 mm. Shiny black burying beetle with a nearly circular pronotum, orange antennal club, and a distinct pattern of orange splotches on the elytra. Underside has brown pubescence. Hosts: Carrion<br /> <br /> Habitat: Attracted to a 395 nm LED light in a semi-rural area<br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/81115/roundneck_sexton_beetle_-_nicrophorus_orbicollis.html<br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/81117/roundneck_sexton_beetle_-_nicrophorus_orbicollis.html Geotagged,Nicrophorus orbicollis,Summer,United States" /></a></figure> Geotagged,Nicrophorus orbicollis,Summer,United States Click/tap to enlarge Promoted

Roundneck Sexton Beetle - Nicrophorus orbicollis

*Sadly, I didn't get any good shots of this beetle. It insisted on resting in awkward spots and was covered in mites. I considered moving it so I could get a shot, but honestly, I didn't want to touch it.

TL: ~25 mm. Shiny black burying beetle with a nearly circular pronotum, orange antennal club, and a distinct pattern of orange splotches on the elytra. Underside has brown pubescence. Hosts: Carrion

Habitat: Attracted to a 395 nm LED light in a semi-rural area

Roundneck Sexton Beetle - Nicrophorus orbicollis *Sadly, I didn't get any good shots of this beetle. It insisted on resting in awkward spots and was covered in mites. I considered moving it so I could get a shot, but honestly, I didn't want to touch it. <br /> <br /> TL: ~25 mm. Shiny black burying beetle with a nearly circular pronotum, orange antennal club, and a distinct pattern of orange splotches on the elytra. Underside has brown pubescence. Hosts: Carrion<br /> <br /> Habitat: Attracted to a 395 nm LED light in a semi-rural area<br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/81117/roundneck_sexton_beetle_-_nicrophorus_orbicollis.html<br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/81116/roundneck_sexton_beetle_-_nicrophorus_orbicollis.html Geotagged,Nicrophorus orbicollis,Summer,United States,beetle,burying beetle,nicrophorus,roundneck sexton beetle

Roundneck Sexton Beetle - Nicrophorus orbicollis *Sadly, I didn't get any good shots of this beetle. It insisted on resting in awkward spots and was covered in mites. I considered moving it so I could get a shot, but honestly, I didn't want to touch it. <br /> <br /> TL: ~25 mm. Shiny black burying beetle with a nearly circular pronotum, orange antennal club, and a distinct pattern of orange splotches on the elytra. Underside has brown pubescence. Hosts: Carrion<br /> <br /> Habitat: Attracted to a 395 nm LED light in a semi-rural area<br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/81115/roundneck_sexton_beetle_-_nicrophorus_orbicollis.html<br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/81117/roundneck_sexton_beetle_-_nicrophorus_orbicollis.html Geotagged,Nicrophorus orbicollis,Summer,United States

    comments (4)

  1. View Ferdy Christant's profile
    Ferdy Christant
    Lion
    View Lion class
    Poor thing! Still very usable shots! Posted 6 years ago
    1. View Christine Young's profile
      Christine Young
      Lion
      View Lion class
      Thanks! I think the mites are just phoretic mites, so they are just hitching a ride on the beetle. They might also eat bits of guts from carrion that have adhered to the beetle as well, so they could be helpful. Posted 6 years ago
  3. View Patomarazul's profile
    Patomarazul
    Lion
    View Lion class
    Poor one, it is very cute by the way! Posted 6 years ago
    1. View Christine Young's profile
      Christine Young
      Lion
      View Lion class
      Thanks Marta! Posted 6 years ago

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The Roundneck Sexton Beetle

''Nicrophorus orbicollis'' is a nearctic burying beetle first described by Thomas Say in 1825. It is a member of the genus ''Nicrophorus'' or sexton beetles, comprising the most common beetles in the family Silphidae. This species is a decomposer feeding on carcasses of small dead animals. ''N. orbicollis'' can be used for scientific research both medically and forensically.

Info 5 0
Similar species: Beetles
Species identified by Christine Young
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By Christine Young

All rights reserved
Uploaded Jun 28, 2019. Captured Jun 27, 2019 22:16 in 5 East St, New Milford, CT 06776, USA.
country flag of United States of America Explore United States of America 39,925 9,640 8
  • Canon EOS 80D
  • f/5.6
  • 1/64s
  • ISO400
  • 100mm
Captured in the summer. More summer photos.

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