Missouri Department of Conservation
Missouri Department of Conservation

Taxonomy

Common Name: BEETLE, AMERICAN BURYING

Phylum: ARTHROPODA

Class: INSECTA

Order: COLEOPTERA

Family: SILPHIDAE

Genus: NICROPHORUS

Species: AMERICANUS

Taxonomic Authority: OLIVIER

Taxonomy References: 001 , 006

Status

FEDERAL THREATENED
STATE ENDANGERED
HISTORICAL STATE OCCURRENCE
GLOBAL RANK G2G3

Status References: 006 , 010 , 012 , 013

Habitat Summary

"Occur in mature oak-hickory and black locust forests. Prefer deep layer of leaf litter and humus."

Primary Habitat: "Forest- upland"

References: 003 , 004

Distribution

General Occurrence in State:

"Only recorded collection in Newton county, 1971 *02*"

County Occurance

County Occurence
Known Likely Unknown Not Likely Historic Extirpated
NEWTON ADAIR
ANDREW
ATCHISON
AUDRAIN
BARRY
BARTON
BATES
BENTON
BOLLINGER
BOONE
BUCHANAN
BUTLER
CALDWELL
CALLAWAY
CAMDEN
CAPE GIRARDEAU
CARROLL
CARTER
CASS
CEDAR
CHARITON
CHRISTIAN
CLARK
CLAY
CLINTON
COLE
COOPER
CRAWFORD
DADE
DALLAS
DAVIESS
DEKALB
DENT
DOUGLAS
DUNKLIN
FRANKLIN
GASCONADE
GENTRY
GREENE
GRUNDY
HARRISON
HENRY
HICKORY
HOLT
HOWARD
HOWELL
IRON
JACKSON
JASPER
JEFFERSON
JOHNSON
KNOX
LACLEDE
LAFAYETTE
LAWRENCE
LEWIS
LINCOLN
LINN
LIVINGSTON
MACON
MADISON
MARIES
MARION
MCDONALD
MERCER
MILLER
MISSISSIPPI
MONITEAU
MONROE
MONTGOMERY
MORGAN
NEW MADRID
NODAWAY
OREGON
OSAGE
OZARK
PEMISCOT
PERRY
PETTIS
PHELPS
PIKE
PLATTE
POLK
PULASKI
PUTNAM
RALLS
RANDOLPH
RAY
REYNOLDS
RIPLEY
SALINE
SCHUYLER
SCOTLAND
SCOTT
SHANNON
SHELBY
ST. CHARLES
ST. CLAIR
ST. FRANCOIS
ST. LOUIS
STE. GENEVIEVE
STODDARD
STONE
SULLIVAN
TANEY
TEXAS
VERNON
WARREN
WASHINGTON
WAYNE
WEBSTER
WORTH
WRIGHT

References for distribution: 002

Distribution by Watersheds

Spring R.

Comments: ""

Distribution by Ecoregions

Ozark Highlands

Comments: ""

Distribution by Potential Natural Vegetation

Oak-Hickory Forest

Distribution by Natural Divisions of Missouri

Ozark: Springfield Plateau

Habitat Associations

Species is associated with "Terrestrial" habitats.

National Wetlands Inventory Association:

Aquatic Associations:

References for Aquatic Associations:

Habitat Types:

Mature Oak-Hickory (9" + dbh, open understory)

References for Habitat Types: 005

Terrestrial Natural Communities:

Forest
Upland forest
Flatwoods

References for Terrestrial Natural Communities: 003 , 004

Food Habits

Trophic Level:

"Omnivore"

Larval Food Habits

Other food habits; Not Specified

Comments for larval food habits:
"Larvae are fed regurgitated food by parents *06,09*."

References for larval food habits: 006 , 009

Juvenile Food Habits

Comments for Juvenile Food Habits:
"Larvae are fed regurgitated food by parents *06,09*."

References Juvenile Food Habits

Adult Food Habits

Carrion; Not Specified

Comments for Adult Food Habits:
""

References Adult Food Habits 006 , 007 , 008 , 009

Niche Requirements

Egg Niche Requirements

Substrate specified in comments(00080)
Relation to substrate specified in comments(00090)

References for egg niches requirements:

Feeding Larvae Niche Requirements

References for feeding larvae niche requirements:

Resting Larvae Niche Requirements

References for resting Larvae niche requirements:

Feeding Juvenile Niche Requirements

References for feeding juvenile niche requirements:

Resting Juvenile Niche Requirements

References for resting juvenile niche requirements:

Breeding Adult Niche Requirements

Other niche requirements specified in comments(99999)
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Leaf litter/ground debris specified in comments(00460)

References for feeding Adult niche requirements: 006 , 007 , 008 , 009 , 011

Feeding Adult Niche Requirements

General habitat association specified in comments(00270)

References for feeding adult niche requirements: 003 , 004

Resting Adult Niche Requirements

General habitat association specified in comments(00270)

References for resting adult niche requirements: 003 , 004

Niche Requirement Summary

General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Leaf litter/ground debris specified in comments(00460)
Other niche requirements specified in comments(99999)
Relation to substrate specified in comments(00090)
Substrate specified in comments(00080)

Comments about Life History:

Code Comment
017 Eggs hatch within a few days *09*
011 Require carrion to bury and use as a reproductive resource *06,09*. Prefer small mammals and birds (80-100 grams) *09*. Carrion is shaved, rolled into a ball and treated with secretions to retard decomposition. Eggs are laid in the soil near the carcass *09*
027 Territory is limited to areas immediately around carcass *06*
034 Are limited by availability of carcasses, for which there is intense competition *06,08,09*
099 Reproductive success is significantly correlated with carcass size *09*

Life History Information

Territory size specified in comments(027)
Periodicity: active at night
Limiting factors specified in comments(034)
Other life history information specified in comments(099)
Origin in state: native
Seasonal distribution in state: all seasons
Foraging strategy: scavenging
Foraging sites: ground
Nest/den site specified in comments(011)
Gestation/incubation period specified in comments(017)
Development of young at birth/hatching: altricial
Parental care of young: both parents
Sex ratio: 1:1
Territoriality: defends breeding and nesting territory

Comments about Life History:

Code Comment
017 Eggs hatch within a few days *09*
011 Require carrion to bury and use as a reproductive resource *06,09*. Prefer small mammals and birds (80-100 grams) *09*. Carrion is shaved, rolled into a ball and treated with secretions to retard decomposition. Eggs are laid in the soil near the carcass *09*
027 Territory is limited to areas immediately around carcass *06*
034 Are limited by availability of carcasses, for which there is intense competition *06,08,09*
099 Reproductive success is significantly correlated with carcass size *09*

References for life history: 006 , 007 , 008 , 009

Management

Beneficial Management Practices:

Beneficial Management References:

Adverse Managment Practices:

Adverse Management References:

Comments on Management:

References for Management Comments:

References

Reference Code Citation
001 Comstock, J.H. 1960. An Introduction To Entomology, 9th Ed. Comstock Publishing Associated. Ithaca, New York. 1064 Pp.
002 Unpb Missouri Department Of Conservation Heritage Database. P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, Missouri 65102. 573-751-4115.
003 Davis, L. Jr. 1980. Notes On Beetle Distribution, With A Discussion Of Nicrophorus Americanus Olivier And Its Abundance In Collections. Coleopterrists Bull. 34(2):245-251.
004 Wilson, D.S. and J. Fudge. 1984. Burying Beetles: Intraspecific Interactions And Reproductive Success In The Field. Ecol. Entomol. 9:195-203.
005 Anderson, R.S. 1982. On The Decreasing Abundance Of Nicrophorus Americanus Olivier (Coleoptera: Silphidae) In Eastern North America. Coleopterists Bull. 36(2):362-365.
006 U.S. Fish And Wildlife Service. 1991. American Burying Beetle Recovery Plan. Technical/Agency Draft. Newton Corner, Massachuesetts. 73 Pp.
007 Wilson, D.S. 1983. The Effect Of Population Structure On The Evolution Of Mutualism: A Field Test Involving Burying Beetles And Their Phoretic Mites. Amer. Nat. 121:851-870.
008 Wilson, D.S., W.G. Knollenberg And J. Fudge. 1984. Species Packing And Temperature Dependent Competition Among Burying Beetles (Silphidae, Nicrophorus). Ecol. Entomol. 9:205-216.
009 Kozol, A.J., M.P. Scott, And J.F.A. Traniello. 1990. The American Burying Beetle, Nicrophorus Americanus: Studies On The Natural History Of A Declining Species. Psyche. 95:
010 Rare And Endangered Species Checklist Of Missouri. 1994. Mo Dept. Of Conservation. Natural Heritage Database. 31 Pp.
011 Lomolino, M.V. and J.C. Creighton. 1996. Habitat Selection, Breeding Success And Conservation Of The Endangered American Burying Beetle Nicrophorus Americanus. Biol. Conserv. 77:235-241.
012 The Wildlife Code of Missouri. Missouri Department of Conservation, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102. 573-751-4115.
013 Missouri Natural Heritage Program. 2021. Missouri Species and Communities of Conservation Concern Checklist. Missouri Department Of Conservation. Jefferson City, Missouri. pp. 56.