The First Book of Bugs. Written and illustrated by Margaret Williamson. 1949.

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the tomentose burying beetle (Nicrophorus tomentosus) looks a little different from other burying beetles- its thorax is covered with gold fuzz. It’s not really clear why it looks like this when the beetle is at rest, but when it takes flight its shiny black and orange elytra flip upside down to reveal the same golden color as the thorax. The result is that it looks and buzzes like a stinging bumblebee in flight (pardon my friend making this observation in the background)

It might not look that much like a bee in these brief clips I was able to capture, but it gets me for at least a few seconds every time I’ve seen one flying. I vividly recall watching a bumblebee instantly transform into a beetle upon hitting the ground as a kid and being deeply confused

(Massachusetts, 7/6/21)

(also if you see this post and you’re not already familiar with burying beetles in general I suggest looking them up, they’re really cool)

Today was a banner day for sure! I got to lead my very first independent tour at Willapa National Wildlife Refuge, and we did the entire Porter Point Loop Trail. The weather was perfect, the mosquitoes were minimal, and we found all sorts of neat stuff along the way.

Probably the highlight of my morning was a pair of Nicrophorus defodiens burying beetles. They were in the process of burying a deceased (and very aromatic!) common garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis) lying in the middle of the trail. These beetles will bury small carrion like snakes, rodents, and birds to prevent other scavengers from eating it, and lay their eggs in it so their larvae have a good meal upon hatching. Both parents remain with the larvae as they grow, an unusual behavior among beetles.

While N. defodiens is more widespread than its endangered cousin the American burying beetle (N. americanus), it is not seen as often as some other native insects as it may remain hidden in leaf litter and other shelters when not chowing down on a carcass. So getting to see this pair preparing a place for this year's young was a real treat!

Spooky Species: Silphidae

As part of this extremely late Spooky Season Showcase, I’m bringing out some personal favorites as well as reblogging others’ posts. For example: beetles in the family Silphidae, otherwise known as carrion beetles. 

Members of this group eat dead animals or scavenge dung (poop) or decaying plant material. Adults and larvae often eat the same thing, but the particular dining habits vary with species. Some simply eat the carcass, others eat fly maggots that eat the carcass. Burying beetles, another member of the Silphidae family, (genus Nicrophorus) dig soil from beneath a fallen animal, causing the corpse eventually to sink beneath the dirt piling up around it. Then the burying beetles remove fur or feathers and prepare the meat for their larvae, like the one pictured above. They’re the grave-diggers of the insect world.

Fun Fact- forensic scientists love these little guys. When a human’s dead body is found, one method of finding out their approximate time of death is for the scientists to analyze the age and life cycles of carrion beetles in the corpse. Creepy, sure, but very helpful for solving crimes. 

While the conservation status varies, one species is dealing with the threat of the scariest thing of all- extinction. The American Burying Beetle (Nicrophorus americanus) is critically endangered, suffering from threats like habitat loss and pesticide use. It now occupies less than 10% of its historic range, possibly due to changes in land use driving off small animals and reducing the number of their carcasses, which these beetles depend on to reproduce. Luckily, captive breeding and reintroductions are underway to save the species. 

In the meantime, let’s all enjoy these lovely little guys who celebrate spooky season year-round with their festive orange and black colors.

Recently I've had a possum decomposing and I thought I'd share one of the coolest little bugs around, the burying beetle (as well as the carrion mites on its head)!

There's a lot of different species of these guys, this particular one is the Tomentose Burying Beetle which is, in my opinion, one of the coolest. See most burying beetles will dig literal graves for the carcass, covering it completely. These guys only dig shallow graves, covering the top with leaf litter!

Another fun thing about these guys, they actually care for their young a great deal. Both parents will stay and care for the offspring from egg to larva, all the way till they're fully grown. They'll regurgitate food for the larva and even fight off other beetles until they're grown! To be fair it only takes like, eleven days, but that's still pretty wild for bugs!

Now what about those little Carrion Beetle Mites on its head? Mites are usually pretty bad right? Well, that's up in the air. These guys hitch rides on various beetles when they head to carcasses since they also feed on carrion.

Now here's where the debate comes in, they've been observed defending the beetles eggs from fly larvae, but it seems their presence reduces the male beetles lifespan. So it's still a bit up in the air.

Anyway I just think they're neat and had to talk about them!

“the pretty bug club”

Australian Spiky Stick Bug (2022)

Wasp (2023)

Burying Beetles (2023)

Oleander Hawk Moth (2023)

digital media

@rowan-e-ravenwood submitted: look at this little fellow, all festive for the Halloween season! i've never seen anything like them, what are they?

encountered in Utah :3

Extremely festive! And even more spooky because it's a burying beetle in the genus Nicrophorus - adults find the dead bodies of small animals like birds and rodents and bury them, creating a hollow crypt chamber around the body lined with fur or feathers. They even coat the carcass with secretions to keep it from decaying too quickly or drawing other scavengers. They then mate and lay eggs in the soil around the chamber. When the larvae hatch, they feed on the carcass. Adults can even regurgitate parts of the carcass to feed the larvae even though they can feed themselves just fine. What a fun and cute little family unit :)

I can't post the photos legally but if you google "nicrophorus crypt" you can see some photos of the larvae in their home! Keep in mind photos might show parts of dead animals.

"family pet"

nicrophorus & poecilochirus

Rov the mayor of Eluxytre

🕸️🎃👻SPOOKY BUGS👻🎃🕸️

Nicrophorus vespillo

These guys actually take care of their offsprings, which is unusual for beetles. And they looks stunning. Would be cute if it weren't for the fact that they live in carrion.

Nicrophorus sp. The Natural History of Insects; In Two Volumes. Vol. II. 1835.

Internet Archive

the sequel to longcat!

This character was created for an event to raise money and awareness for endangered species but did not sell. I donated the money out of pocket but now she does not have a place so I am putting her back up for sale or trade, starting at $15. Please consider as well donating to efforts to preserve the American Burying Beetle Toyhouse link: Beetle Adopt on Toyhouse

The Six of Shells evokes a deep sense of nostalgia, offering a glimpse into the comfort of home and the innocence of childhood. It's a reminder of the joy found in revisiting cherished memories and the beauty of heartfelt exchanges. It often represents generosity, naive happiness, and a longing for the simplicity of childhood.

This card encourages us to take a journey back into our past and reconnect with the inner child that once looked upon the world with pure intentions. It beckons us to revisit moments of our personal history, whether from our childhood, adolescence, or young adulthood. This revisitation is not merely a sentimental exercise; it's an exploration of the aspects of ourselves that might have faded with time. It's a means to rekindle the sense of happiness and simplicity that these memories once held. However, the card comes with a subtle caution: while looking back on the past with a happy eye can bring comfort and joy, it's vital not to become trapped in nostalgia, and we must not live in it. Our present and future hold unique opportunities and challenges that require our full attention and engagement. The past serves as a wellspring of wisdom and inspiration, offering us insights into our journey forward.

The American burying beetle plays a vital role in nature by burying the carcasses of small animals and using them as both a nursery and a food source. This behavior mirrors the idea of nurturing the past to nourish the future, linking us to the themes of the card. Just as the beetles symbolize sharing and connecting through meaningful exchanges, they also emphasize the importance of shared efforts and emotional connections in raising the next generation. Similarly, both beetle parents collaborate in raising their offspring. In essence, this card teaches us that revisiting our past and honoring our roots can be a source of wisdom and inspiration. It prompts us to acknowledge the beautiful and simple moments that have shaped us and to carry those lessons into our present endeavors.

Prints available on Redbubble and Inprnt

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Sorry for posting 30 tags worth of fanfic of Franz Kafka's The Metamorphosis in my most recent reblog's tags, I got carried away, you know how it is