Common Burying Beetle vs Common Thick-headed Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Common Burying Beetle | Common Thick-headed Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Nicrophorus vespillo | Sicus ferrugineus |
| Order | Coleoptera | Diptera |
| Family | Silphidae | Conopidae |
| Size | 12-22 mm | 8-12 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Underground |
| Diet | Carrion Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Europe | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Common Burying Beetle
A large orange-and-black beetle that buries small animal carcasses for its larvae. Uses chemical cues to locate corpses from great distances. Shows remarkable parental care with both parents tending larvae.
Did You Know?
Can bury a dead mouse completely underground in just a few hours by excavating soil from beneath the carcass.
Common Thick-headed Fly
A distinctive orange-brown fly with a disproportionately large, inflated head and a curved abdomen. It perches conspicuously on flowers waiting to intercept passing bumblebees.
Did You Know?
The parasitized bumblebee eventually dies and buries itself in the ground, where the fly larva pupates inside the bee.