Black Burying Beetle vs Fungus Rove Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Black Burying Beetle Fungus Rove Beetle
Scientific Name Nicrophorus humator Lordithon thoracicus
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Silphidae Staphylinidae
Size 18-26mm 5-7 mm
Habitat Hedgerows Woodlands
Diet Carrion Feeders Predators
Regions Europe Europe, Northern Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Black Burying Beetle

A large all-black burying beetle with orange-tipped antennae. It buries animal carcasses for its larvae.

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Did You Know?

One of the largest burying beetles in Europe and can inter a mouse-sized carcass in just a few hours.

Fungus Rove Beetle

A colorful rove beetle of the Tachyporinae with a reddish-orange pronotum and dark elytra, typically found on bracket fungi. It preys on fly larvae developing in fungal fruiting bodies.

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Did You Know?

The bright orange and black coloration may serve as warning coloration, as the beetle produces unpleasant-tasting defensive compounds.