Black Burying Beetle vs Red-Breasted Carrion Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Black Burying Beetle | Red-Breasted Carrion Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Nicrophorus humator | Oiceoptoma thoracicum |
| Order | Coleoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Silphidae | Silphidae |
| Size | 18-26mm | 12-16 mm |
| Habitat | Hedgerows | Grasslands |
| Diet | Carrion Feeders | Carrion Feeders |
| 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.
Did You Know?
One of the largest burying beetles in Europe and can inter a mouse-sized carcass in just a few hours.
Red-Breasted Carrion Beetle
A flattened black beetle with a broad, reddish-orange thorax found on carrion. Unlike burying beetles, it does not bury carcasses but feeds on them in place.
Did You Know?
It is often the first beetle species to arrive at a carcass, sometimes appearing within minutes of death.