This is a large beetle, with a length of up
to nearly 30mm. Strongly attracted to light, this beetle
is common at the MV light used for moth trapping and
adults often arrive covered in numerous orange mites. Nicrophorus
humator is one of the Burying Beetles, sometimes
known as Sexton Beetles. They feed on carrion, burying
the corpses of dead birds or mice, to use as a food store
for their young. Consequently, there is often a strong
and unpleasant odour, which makes these beetles even more
distinctive. |