Eastern Illinois UniversityThe Keep

Masters Theses Student Theses & Publications

1975

A Faunal Study of Illinois Silphidae (Coleoptera)Brian BaldwinEastern Illinois UniversityThis research is a product of the graduate program in Zoology at Eastern Illinois University. Find out moreabout the program.

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Recommended CitationBaldwin, Brian, "A Faunal Study of Illinois Silphidae (Coleoptera)" (1975). Masters Theses. 2487.https://thekeep.eiu.edu/theses/2487

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. . , ' '

A Fauna] Study of Ill ino1 B

S1Jphidae {CoJeoptera) (TITLE)

BY

Brian Baldwin

B.S. in Ed., Eastern Illinois University, 1971

THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS

FOR THE DEGREE OF

Master of Science in Zoology IN THE GRADUATE SCHOOL, EASTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY

CHARLESTON, ILLINOIS

1975 YEAR

I HEREBY RECOMMEND THIS THESIS BE ACCEPTED AS FULFILLING THIS PART OF THE GRADUATE DEGREE CITED ABOVE

t)Jt(J f

A Faunal Study of Illinois

Silphidae (Coleoptera)

By

Brian Baldwin

B.S. in Ed., Eastern Illinois University, 1971

ABSTRACT OF A THESIS

Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the

degree of Master of Science at the Graduate School of

Eastern Illinois University

CHARLESTON, ILLINOIS

1975

A faunal study of the family Silphidae in Illinois was made through examination of over 1400 specimens. A brief history of the taxonomy of the family and a description of silphid ecology was presented. Key� to the tribes, genera, and species of adult S1lphidae occurring in Illinois were divised . Four genera and sixteen species of ailphids are described, supple

mented with drawings and distribution maps.

The undersigned, appointed by the- Head of the Department of Zoology,

have examined a thesis entitled

A Faunal Study of Illinois Silphidae (Coleoptera)

Presented by

Brian Baldwin

a candidate for the degree of Master of Science

and hereby certify that in their opinion it is acceptable.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Acknowledgements • • • • . . • • • • • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . i

List of Tables and Figures • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 11

Introduction • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 1

Literature Review • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 2

Taxonomy. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • . 2

Ecology • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 3

Methods and N:a ter i al s • • • • •. ror·•• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 8

Results and Discussion • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • .9 Key to Silphidae • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 9 Description of the Species • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 17

Literature Cited . . . . . . . • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

1

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The author would like to thank Dr. Michael A. Goodrich

for his advice and guidance during the research and writing

of this paper. The author is also indebted to Dr. Richard

Funk for his comments and criticism of the paper, and Dr. M. W. Sanderson for help in preparing a key. The following curators

and individuals have contributed suggestions and/or specimens

for this study: Dr. Rupert Wenzel and Dr. Henry Dybas, Field

Museum of Natural History; Dr. M. W. Sanderson, Natural

History Survey; Dr. Yale Sedman, Western Illinois University;

Dr. Garland Riegel, Eastern Illinois University; Dr. J. E.

McPherson, Southern Illinois University; Dr. Stewart Peck, Carleton University; and Dr. R. H. Arnett Jr., Biological Research Institute o f America, Inc.

11

LIST OF TABLES AND FIGURES

Table

1 The classification of tribes and genera of North American Silphidae as recognized by Horn, Hatch and Arnett . . . . . . • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . . • . . . . . . . . • • • • • . . • • . • . 7

Figure.

1 Antenna of Nicrophorus • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 13 2 Antenna of Necrodes • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 13 3 Antenna of Necronhilus • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 1 3 4 Pronotum of Necrodes • • • • • • . • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 13 5 Pronotum of Silpha • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 14

6 Pronotum of Necronhilus • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 1 4

7 Pronotum of Nicrophorus carolinus • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 14 8 Pronotum of Nicronhorus orbicollis • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 14 9 Left elytron of Nicronhorus carolinus • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 15

10 Left elytron of Nicrophorus orbicollis • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 1 5

11 Left elytron of Nicrophorus tomentosus • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • -• • 15 12 Left elytron of Nicrophorus americanus • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 15 13 Left elytron of Nicrophorus pustulatus • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 15 14 ·Left elytron of Nicronhorus vespilloides • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 16 15 Left elytron of Nicrophorus marginatus • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 16 16 Left elytron of Nicronhorus obscurus • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 16 17 Left elytron of Nicronhorus investi5ator • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 16 18 Left elytron of Nicrouhorus sayi • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 16

111

19 Silpha americana collection sites in Illinois • • • • • • • • • • 28 20 Silnha novaboracensis collection sites in Illinois • • • • • 29 21 Silpha lapponica collection sites in Illinois • • • • • • • • • • 30 22 Silpha inaequalis collection sites in Illinois • • • • • • • • • 31 23 Necrodes s urinamensis collection sites in Illinois, • • • • 32

24 Necrophilua net ti ti collection sites in Illinois • • • • • • .• 33 25 Nicrophorus carolinus collection sites in Illinois • • • • • 34 26 Nicronhorus. orbicollia collection sites in Illinois • • • • 35

27 Nicrophorus tomentoaus collection sites in Illinois • • • • 36 28 Nicrophorus americanus collection sites in Illinois • • • • 37 29 Nicrophorus pustulatus collection sites in Illinois • • • • 38

30 Nicrouhorus vespilloides collection sites in Illinois • • 39

3L Nicrophorus marginatus collection sites in Illinois • • • • 40 32 Nicrophorus obscurus collection sites in Illinois • • • • • • 41

33 Nicrophorus investigator collection sites in Illinois • • 42

34 Nicrophorua sayi collection sites in Illinois • • • • • • • • • • 43

1

INTRODUCTION

The common members of the family Silphidae are medium to

large size beetles often found on carrion. Placed in the

Staphylinoidea they may be distinguished from other members

of the superfamily by their clavate or capitate 10 - 1 1

segmented antennae with pubescence on at lea st segments 9 - 11, large front coxae, and enlarged pronotum . The elytra often

bear red or orange markings .

In this paper the author has attempted to list the

species of silphids which have been found in Illinois. Keys,

descriptions, illustrations and distribution maps have been

devel oped to aid in identification.

2

LITERATURE REVIEW

Taxonomy

A number of workers have made contributions to the

taxonomy of the family Silphidae . Horn (1880), in his review

of the genera of the world, listed 43 genera in six tribes;

30 genera were described from the U.S. (20 of these genera are

now placed in .other families ) . Horn (1880) described several new species , including one found in Illi nois ( Necrophilus

pettiti). He listed 10 species of Nicrophorus which are

considered to be valid, and described three varieties which

are now viewed as full species. In the genus Silpha� tribe

Silphini, he placed 10 species including surinamensis, subse

quently placed by some authors in Necrodes.

Portevin (1926) included the tribes Nicrophorini for

Nicrophorus; Necrodini with the genera Necrodes, Protonecrodes

and Diamesus; and Silphini including twenty genera and three

subgenera.

Hatch (1927) reviewed the tribes, genera, and species of

Silphidae and reduced the family to a subfamily of the family

Staphylinidae. He included seven tribes and 35 genera ( Table 1)

and provided keys to genera, subgenera, species, and aberrations

or varieties of specie s , and included keys to larvae. Hatch

included a phylogenetic key to species groups of the tribe

3

Nicrophorini. Included in the keys were several fossil species

from the Miocene of France and Colorado .

Hatch (1927) mentioned that two species of Necrophilus ,

subterraneus and nettiti, are the only species that tend to

show by their distribution a North Atlantic connection between

Europe and North America. The distribution of other species

demonstrate a Bering Strait connection.

Arnett (1944) included only the Neartic Silphini and

N1crophorin1 in his revi s ion based on the female genitalia.

He listed 19 species of Nicrophorini (all Nicrophorus ) and -

13 species of Silphini which he placed in three genera and two

subgenera. He later (Arnett, 1963) abandoned his 1944 scheme

and accepted that of Hatch (1927). Arnett (1944) listed 46 ..

species of Silphidae from North America and included synonomies

of the various forms and abberations described by others.

Arnett (1963) divided the world Silphidae into two

subfamilies: the Bathysciinae of Europe (310 species); and the

Silphinae (254 species) which occur throughout the world.

The Silphinae include four tribes occuring in North America

( Table 1 ) , and representatives of three occur in Illinois.

He also included a concise classification and key to the

genera of the United States.

Ecology

Many papers have been written about the habits of silphids,

especially the N1crouhorin1; however, only a few authors have

an in depth covera5e of even a few S?ccies.

4

Balduf (1935) de scr ib ed several European species of

silphids that eat snails, caterpillars, or fly larvae . He

notes an observat ion by Bell in 1830 as the earliest recorded

observation of Nicrophorus feeding on maggots. Bell obse rved

about 40 specimens of N. humator, N. ve s oil lo , and N. l ittoralis

remov ing maggots from the carcass of a dog. Each beetle ate

ab out one maggot every five minutes. Balduf (1935) also

reports that Pukowski found that at least s ix species of

N1crophorus (N. humator, !· vespillo, !· vespilloides, N. fossor,

!· investigator and N- german1cus) all eat dipterous larvae ; �

at least for part of their adult.diet. In addition to feeding

on worms, snails, and insects, Nicrophorus will eat flesh of

vertebrates but prefer fresh an imals to the highly decomposed ..

flesh. Larvae feed on snails (Phosphuga, Ablattar ia), cater-

pillars (Xylodrepa), and at least in some cases N icrophorus

are fed partly by the adult female on liqu ified carr ion. In

captivity larvae and adults of some species may be cannibal

istic. Aft er f inding a small (mouse to robin s ize) dead vertebrate animal, one or more Nicrophorus carry or drag the

carcass to a suitable s ite for burial. Usually one or a pair

of the same species w ork together , driving off other spe cies

of beetles, flies, ants , etc. Bur ial.may take five t o e ight

h ours depend ing on the size of the carrion, soil type,, and

terrain. Nicroohorus mate before, during and/or after burial ot the vertebrate animal. Frequently one or both members of a pair of beetles leave the carcass, running or flying away

and returning asain in a few minutes. l(ilne and Milne ( 1944)

5

observed an i ndividual of N. t omentosus leave and re turn to

the carca s s four times within an h our, each time flying out

of sight. Burial is effe c ted by plowing the ea rth with head

and cutting any ro ots o r obstruct i ons in the way. The beetl e s

usually cooperate in carrying and d igging and plowing the

ground around the c a r c ass.

Balduf ( 1935) no ted that when mating or whe n b other e d by a competitor or an ob s truct ion Nicrophorus stri dulates audib ly

by rubbing the upper surface of the abd omen under the elyt ra.

{ This sound can be demonstrated in specimens preserved in alcohol as well ) . After the carcass is burie d a few inche s,

the hair o r feathe rs are remo ved and the carcass m o re o r less

formed in a ball by the beetle pre s s i ng w i t h it s feet into t he

s oft b o dy while bracing the back against the s urrounding e arth.

Eggs are la i d in a tunnel or passage-way a few inches from the

covered c a rrion. An average of 14 - 15 eggs are laid by females o f !� vesoillo ( Bal duf , 1935).

During the five days it takes for the eggs t o hatch, the

female (usually) eats, digs into the carrion, or rests on or

near it. Upon hatching the larvae dig or crawl to the carrion.

Apparently t h e fema le b eet l e feeds the larvae at least for five

or six hour s during the first inst ar aft e r which the larvae

start feeding on their own. After the first and second m olt the larvae again depend on the female f o r food for a shorter

amo unt o f time. The three inatars of the larvae of Nicrophorus

take about one week, the first melt at 12 hours, and the second

at 24 hours. The third instar pupates after crawling through

�- r� ·

6

the soil as far as 30 cm. The newly emerged adults remain in

the pupal cell for up to four days before coming to the surface.

Bulduf {1935) states most studies show Nicrophorus over-winter in the "prepupal" condition. The pupal stage in species

observed by Pukowski lasted 14 to 15 days.

Other works on behavior were published by Steele {1927), Abbott {1927), Fabre (1899), and Shubeck {1968 ; 1970).

7

Table 1. Th e clas s i fication of t r ibes and genera of North Ameri c an S ilphidae as re c ognized by Horn , Hatch and Arnett.

H o rn ( 1880)

Silphini Nicroph orus

Nec ro des

Silpha

Nec rophilu s . !_gyrte s Pe lates Sphaerites

Pteroloma Apateti c a

Lyrosomi n i Lyrosoma

Hatch (1927)

N i c roph o rini �i c rophorus

Necrodini Necr o des

Silph ini Silpha

Agyrtini Necronh i lus Agyrte s Pe la tines

Lyr osomini

Lyrosoma Aptero loma

Arnet t (1963)

Nic rophor ini Nicrophorus (19)*

S i lphin i Necr odes (2)

S i lpha (9) Blitophaga (2)

Agyrtini Ne c r oph i lus (2) Agyrtes (2) Pelatine s (1)

Lyrosom.1ni Ptero loma (5)

Lyrosoma (1) Ante r o loma (3)

* The number with i n the parenthes e s indicates t he numbe r of spe c i e s reco rded for No rth Amer i c a.

8

METHODS AND MATERIALS

A total of 1407 specimen s from Il linois we re examined

in the course of this study. Collections studied were from

the Field Museum of Natural History , Chicago; Natural Hi story

Survey , Urbana; Southern Ill inois University, Carbondale;

East e rn Illin ois University , Charleston; We stern Illino is

University , Macomb; per s onal collections of Dr. Mi chael Goodrich, Dr. Stewart B. Peck, and the author.

Specimens we re collected by the author from 1970 to 1975 from road kills in situ , bait traps of the type employed by

Shub eck (1970), covered and uncovered c ar rion in the manner

employed by Ratcliffe and Luedtke (1969), and black light traps.

The date of collecting , the collector, and locati on as

well as any ec ological information was recorded from each

specimen examined. An American Optical.stereo dissect ing

microscope providing from 7x to 30x was u sed in examining

specimens. Genitalia were dissected and studied from 25

specimens. Keys used initially were those of Arnett (1944;

1963); Madge (1958); Dillon and Dillon {1960); Hatch {1927);

and Dr. M. W. Sanderson (personal communication).

9

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Key t o the S i l phidae o f I l lin o i s

1. Second articl e o f antennae a t l e a st one-half length o f thi rd art i cle. Antennae d i stinctly e leven segmented . . . • . • . • . . • • . . . • . • • . . • . • . . . . . • . . . . . . . . . . . . • • 2

Second article of antennae l es s than one half length o f thi rd article, h idden in t ip of first s egment so ant ennae app e ar ten segment ed (Fig. 1) • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • . • • • • • • • . • • • • • • • • • • • tr i b e Nicrophorini

2. Ant ennae sl ender t o strongly clavate ( Fig. 2), eight b a s a l segment s glabrous, terminal three pubescent. Body shape depressed, broadly ovate t o oblong, dull. Me tatho rac1c wings p resent • • • • • • • • • • • • • • tr1be Silphini

Antennae slender, c l avate ( Fig. 3), s ix.b a sal segment s glabrous, t e rminal f i ve segments pube scent . Body shape ovate, convex, shin ing. Metatho racic wing s la c king., • • • • • • • . • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • t ribe Agyrtin i

Tri b e Silphini - Key to Genera

1. Eyes large and prominent, o ccip ital ridge prom inent, pron o tum nearly round, black, shining (F ig. 4), body el onga te • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Genus Necrodes

Eyes n o t 'prominent, o c c ip i tal ridge n o t promi nent, pron o tum and elyt ra n o t sh ining, pronotum as .in Fig. 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . _• . . Genus Sil oha

Genus S ilpha

Pronotum much wide r than head, as wide as ba se of elyt ra,

{Fig. 5); variously col o red, glabr o us or tomentose. Elytra

black or b r own; frequently c o s t ate, tuberc ula te or rugose.

Antenna e eleven s egmented , c l avate, terminal three segments

10

pubescent. Body shape depressed, broadly ovate, not shining.

Genus Silpha - Key to Species

1. Pronotum yellow or reddish with central black area • • • • • • • • 2 Pronotum black . . . . • . . . . • . • . • . . • • . . . • . . . . . _ . . . . . • . . • . • . • . • . . 3

2 . Elytra rugose , pronotum yellow with central small black spot • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Silnha americana

Elytra with prominent costae, pronotum reddish with large black spot • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Siluha novaboracensis

3. Pronotum tomentose with dense yellow hairs, elytral costae tuberculate • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Silpha lapponica

· Pronotum glabrous; elytra costae without tubercles • • • • • • • • • �

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Silpha 1naequalis

Genus Necrodes

Pronotum oval (Fig. 4), black, shining, form elongate; elytra black usually with red apical spots forming a bar, someti�es with red basal markings or immaculate. Antennae eleven - segmented, strongly clavate, basal eight segments glabrous, last three pubescent; eyes large, prominent; occipital ridge prominent. One species found in Illinois.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Ne crodes surinamensis

Tribe Agyrtini

Genus Necronhilus

Pronotum brownish, shining (Fig. 6), glabrous. Elytra brownish, shining, with nine rows of punctures. Antennae clavate with baoo.l six segments glabrous, last five with pubescent club. Body shape oval. One species found in

Ill1no1s • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Necronh1lus pettiti

11

Tribe N1crophor1ni

Genus Nicrophorus ·

Pr onotum variously shaped (Fig. 7, 8 ), glabrou s or tomen

tose. Elytra shortened , trun cate, frequently with red or

orange spots. Antennae apparently of ten segments, the second

segment short and more o r less hidden in the tip of the first

segment. Antennae capitate, the last four segments form ing

a distinct club (Fig. 1). Beetle s thick-bodied, not depressed

or oval.

Genus Nicrophorus - Key to Species

1. Pronotum oboval, dense.punctation on anterior third , · · (Fig. 7); epipleural fold very narrow (Fig. 9) • . • • • � • . • a • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

.• • • • • • • • • • • • N. carol inus

Pronotum orbicular, transverse or cordate , punctation of pronotum not as above (Fig. 8 ); epipleural fold wider (Fig. 10) . . . • • • . . • • . . • . . . • • • . • . • • • • . • • . . . . . • . • . • • • • . . 2

2. Pronotum orbicular, hind tib iae straight, ep ipleural fold black • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • !! • orbicollis

Pronotum not orbicular, or if orbicular hind t ibiae not straight, ep ipleural fold red or black • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 3

3. Pronotum densely tomentose; epipleural fold red • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • !!,. tomentosus

Pronotum not densely tomentose; with at most a few shor t hairs; epipleural fold red or black • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 4

4. Pronotum with large red or orange spot and frons red; ep ipleural fold red • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • ! • americanus

Pronotum and frons entirely black; epipleural fold red or black . • • . . • • . . • . . • • . • . . . . • . . . • • • . • . . • • • • . • . . . • . . • · • • . . 5

5. Elytra entirely black or with one small 'subbasal and one or two apical orange or red spots; epipleural fold black • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • ! · pustulatus

Elytra with large red or orange bands; epipleural fold red • • • • • • • . • • • • • • • • • • • • • • · • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 6

12

6. Antennal club entirely black ••••••••••••••• N . vespilloides Antennal club partly red or orange •••••••••••••••••••••••• 7

7. Subapical black bands not quite reaching edge of epipleural fold; basal plates of antennal club orange; lobe of metepimeron with long golden hairs ••••••• �. marginatus

Subapical black bands reach edge of epipleural fold; basal plate of antennae black; lobe of metepimeron with or without golden hairs •••••••••••••••••••••••••••• � •••• 8

8. Lobe of metepimeron with long golden hairs •••••• !. obscur� Lobe of metepimeron without golden hairs •••••••••••••••••• 9

9. · Hind tibiae strai ght ••••••• � ••••••••••••••• •!•. investigator Hind tibiae curved••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••!• sayi

13

' \ :_

Fig. 1. Antenna of. Nicrophorus · Fig. 2. Antenna of Necrodes

.·· · . . .

Fig. 3. Antenna of Necroohilus Fig. 4. Pronotum of Necrodes

,.,. -- - · · · ·---- ... _ ..... _ --..... _,.,..,,.. ____ _____ _

Fig. 5 .

Fig. 7 .

14

Pronotum of Silpha

Pronotum of Nicrophorus carolinus

I

Fig. 6 .

Fig. 8.

-·-··· . .... - - .... .. ------ ------

Pronotum of Necroohilus

6·-c·1----�::J_·. . :·-!

: ·-·::·: .. ·: =::'.:-_::·�--��·:/�-:. Pronotum of Nicrophorus orbicollis

- . . . . . · : : ,:· : . . � : . . : . .. : . . . · . . . :

Fig. 9 . Left elytron of N. carolinus

f • • •

. . . ' · . . . · .. . · · . . :·

. . · : . . • I :, • • ·:'

.

. . . . . . . : : : . . . : .

..

... 4

... . . . . . -I • , '. ' ' • • ·. I• , : . . . :. ·... . ... · .. ·. . . : ·�. : . M::

.

� .

.. .

. I ..- :. : . . . .' • : . . . .

Fig. 1 1.

Fig. 1 2 . Left elytron of N. americanus

15

. .. . .

. . .

. ': . ·. . . : . . '

. ..

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ···o· .. : .. ... .. .

. . . .

. .. · . . .

.

• 4•

: .

.•

. •

Fig. 10. Left elytron of N. orbicollis ·

Left ely tron or· N. tomentosus

'. Q:· - : :;·� ·;: .

. .. . . . -

. ; : : .· . . . · ..

. ·" .

.

. . ·.: .. · · . . . . . . · .. · . .

. .

.

vo::::a· . Q .... .. :· ·.

· .·. ·

.... · . .

·.

Fig . 13. Left elytron of N. pustulatus

Fig. 14. Left elytron of N. vespilloides

16

Fig. 15. Left elytron of N. marg1natus

Fig. 16. _ Left elytron of N. obscurus

Fig. 17. Left elytron of N. investigator

Fig. 18. Left elytron of

�· sayi

17

Description of the Species

Silpha americana Linnaeus, 1759

Antennae eleven-segmented, clavate; basal eight segments

glabrous, last three pubescent. Eyes and occipital ridge

not prominant. Pronotum transverse, nearly twice as wide as

long (Fig. 5), yellow with small central black spot. Ely tra

blackish; rugose with indistinct coatae, punctate; length 1 1 -

13 mm. Body ovate.

Range: Eastern North America. In Illinois: widespread and

common.

Adults collected in Illinois from 14 April - 29 September.

Remarks: Collected from carrion of both warm and cold-blooded vertebrates and fungi.

Silpha noveboracensis Forster, 1771

Antennae eleven-segmented, clavate, basal eight segments

glabrous, last three pubescent. Eyes and occipital ridge not

prominent. Pronotum transverse, one-half wider than long;

reddish-yellow with large central black spot. Elytra brown;

tricostate, outer costa meets or nearly meets second costa

posterior to small tubercule, punctate; length from 8 - 10 mm. Body oblong-ovate.

Range: Eastern North America. In Illinois: common and widespread.

Adults collected in Illinois fror:; 18 �!;arch - 5 November.

18

Silpha J.appon1ca Herbst, 1793

Antennae eleven-segmented, clavate, basal eight segments

glabrous, last three pubescent. Eyes normal; occipital ridge

lacking; head covered with yellow pubescence. Pronotum

transverse; usually densely covered with yellow pubescence;

tuberculate. Elytra brown; with four rows of distinct tubercles;

length 7 - 9 mm. Body oblong-ovate.

Range: Northern United States; Canada. In Illinois: Cook and

McHenry counties.

Adults collected in Illinois from 5 May - 15 August.

Silpha inaequalis Fabricius, 1781

Antennae eleven-segmented, clavate, basal eight segments

glabrous, last three pubescent. Eyes and occipital ridge not prominent. Pronotum transverse, twice as wide as long; black.

Elytra black; tricostate, outer costae ending in slight

tubero sity , punctate; length from 7 - 10 mm. Body oblongovate.

Range: Ea s tern North America. In Illinois: common and wide

spread.

Adults collected in Illinois.from 23 March - 20 July.

19

Necrodes surinamensis Fabricius, 1792 Antennae eleven-segmented, strongly clavate, basal eight

segments glabrous, last three pubescent. Eyes large, pro

minant; occipital ridge prominant. Pronotum oval (Fig. 4);

black , shining. Elytra black, usually with red apical spots

forming a bar, sometimes with red basal markings or immaculate;

with three distinct costae extending the length of disc;

length 10 - 18 mm. Body elongate.

Range : Eastern North America. In Illinois: common and wide

spread.

Adults collected in Illinois from 9 April - 25 October.

Remarks: Males show allometric growth with large males having

much more enlarged femora and strongly curved tibiae.

Females do not show this development.

Necrophilus pettiti Horn, 1880

Antennae eleven-segmented, clavate, basal six segments glabrous,

last five pubescent. Pronotum as in Fig. 6, shining, punctures

along lateral margin, disc with few punctures. Elytra convex

with nine rows of punctures, t runcate at extreme apex, brown

and shining. Metathoracic wings lack�ng.

Range: Eastern U.S., Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee,

Ohio. In Illinois: Carbondale, Jackson County.

Adult collectcJ in Illinois: 19 haJ, 1971.

20

Remarks: This specie.a named and described by Horn in 1880,

is listed as rare and found in fungi by Hatch, 1927;

has been taken in carrion bait traps in Tennessee in

1971.

Nicrophorus carolinus (Linnaeus), 1771

Antennae with basal plate red, terminal three red, last segment

flattened. Pronotum oboval { Fig. 7), narrowed behind, sinuate

at the sides , lacking anterior transverse impression; anterio r third of prono�um densely punctate, central disc weakly and

sparsely punctate; black, glabrous. Elytra 7 - 13.5 mm long

(Madge, 1958); pattern as in Fig. 8; epipleural fold narrow .

Metaaternum with long golden pubescer..oe; lobe of metepimeron

glab·rous. or with a few brown to golden hairs. Mesotibiae and

metatibiae strongly incu rved .

Range: Atlantic and Gulf Coast states, f rom Texas northward

through Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, and

westward into New Mexico and Arizona. Also in Alberta,

Canada. In Illipois: Urbana, Champaign County.

Adults collected from 21 July.;;..,, :August.

Remarks: This species has not been seen by the author in any

collection of Illinois silphids, but is li s ted by

Maqge (1958) as occuring in Urbana. The range of the species, with an eastern .and separate western popula

tion is unusual and poses questions regarding the

ac tual distribution of the species.

21

Nicrouhorus orbicollis Say, 1825

Antennae with basal segment piceous, terminal three red. The

pronotum is orbicular , well rounded at the sides, with a wide

margin at base and sides; black ( Fig. 9). Elytra 9.45 -

12.45 mm long (8.5 - 15.5 mm [_Madge, 1958]); color pattern

as in Fig. 10, elytral disc with long erect hairs, epipleural

fold brownish-black. Metasternum with golden pubescence,

lobe of metepimeron nearly glabrous . Mesotibiae slightly

curved, metatibiae straight, distal end wi dened in males.

Range: _Central and eastern United States , as far west as

Texas, records for California and C ol orado ; also in

Ontario and Nova Scotia. In Illinois : widespread.

Adults collec ted in Illinois from 16' April - 21 October.

Nicrophorus tomentosus Weber, 1801

Antennae with basal plate and terminal segments piceous.

Pronotum transverse, somewhat squarish, moderately narrowed

behind, sinuate at sides; .densely tomento se with golden pubes

cence except ·for two elliptical areas on disc. Elytra 6.8 -

1 0 mm long (5.5 - 1 1 mm @adge, 1 95§] ); col or pattern as in Fig. 1 1; epipleural fold red. Metasternum with long golden

pubescence, lobe of metepimeron glabrous or with a few brown

to golden hairs . Mesotibiae slightly incurved; metatibiae

straight; spine of metatrochanter short, straight in female s ,

strongly hooked in ��les.

22

Range : Ea s te rn U . S . to Georgi a , we s t t o New Mex i co , north

to C anada , Man i t ob a , Nova S cotia , Ontario . In I l l inoi s :

wide spread and comm on .

Adul t s col l e c t e d in Illinois from 1 May - 1 6 October .

Nicronhoru s ameri canu s Oliver , 1 79 1

Antennae with basal pla t e and terminal three s e gment s red ;

frons re d .

glabrou a .

Pronotum orbicu l a r , w i th d i s c re d , marg i n s blac k and

Elytra 1 3 - 20 mm long (Madge , 1 958 ) ; c olor patt e rn as in Fig . 1 2 ; epi ple ural fol d re d . Me ta s ternum wi th l ong

golden hai r s ; lobe of me tepimeron w i th short brown to golden

ha i rs mos tly on the late ral surface . Mes otib i a e s l i ght l y curve d ; metatibiae s t ro ngly curved .

Range : Eas t e rn U . S . from Ma s sachu s e t t s to Georgia , we s tward

throu gh Arkan s a s , Texa s , north into Ontario , C anada .

In Illinois : wide spread .

Adult s colle c te d i n I llinois from 1 6 May - 26 Augu s t .

Remark s : I have not s ee n any specimens col l e cted more re c ently

than May 1 6 , 1 944 from Illinoi s . Because of it s

large s i z e and c ol orful appe aranc e thi s i s sur

prising unle s s it has be c ome rare .

23

N i c roph o ru s nu s tu l a tu s Hers c he l , 1 8 07 Ant enna e wi th b a s a l s e gm ent b l a c k , t e rm i nal thre e re d .

P r ono tum t ran s v e r s e , s l i ght l y narr owe d behind ; b l a c k and

gl abrou s . El yt ra 7 - 1 1 • 8 5 nun l ong ( 8 - 1 3 mm [}iadge , 195� ) ; co l o r p at t e rn a s in Fig . 1 3 ; e p i p l eural · fo l d b l a c k . Me t a s t e rnum u sual l y wi th go lden pube s c en c e ; l ob e o f m e tep ime ron glab r ou s

or wi th sh o rt b rown ha i r s . Me s o t ib i ae s l i ght l y curved ; meta

t ib iae s t ra i ght .

Range : Ea s t e rn and c ent ral U . S . t o Fl o r i da ; Ontari o and Quebe c

in Canada . In I l l in o i s ; w i de spread and c omm on .

Adult s c o l l e c t e d in I l l in o i s from 30 Mar ch t o 24 O c t ob e r .

Ni c roph o ru s ve s n 1 l l o 1de s He rb s t , 178 4 Ant ennae w i th ba sal plate and t e rminal c lub b l a c k . Prono tum

t rans ve r s e , s l i ght ly t o m o de rat e l y narrowed behind , s inuat e a t

the s i de s , w i t h a s t rong ant e r i o r tran s v e r s e imp re s s i on .

Elytra 6 - 1 2 mm l ong (Madge , 1 958 ) ; pa t t e rn a s in Fi g . 1 4 ; epipleural f o l d c o l o r u sually black at humeru s and apex , red

in midp o rt i on . Me t a s t e rnum w i th l ong go lden pube s c ence ,

spars e at c ente r ; l ob e o f m e t e p imeron w i th short brown ha i r s .

Me s o t 1b 1ae s l i ghtl y curve d ; metat i b i ae s t ra i ght .

Range : No rthe a s t e rn U . S . , Tenne s s e e and No rth C a ro l ina ,

separate we s t e rn p opul a t i on from Utah and C o l o rad o

no rth t o Ala ska . In I l l ino i s : Vo l o b o g , Lake C o .

24

Adult s c o l l e c t ed in I l l ino i s f r o m 1 5 Ju ly - 27 Augu s t • .

Remark s : Thi s sp e c ie s i s rare in Ill inois colle ctions . A s

Madge ( 1 958 ) sugge s ted , i t may be a re s i dent o f

c o o l forested re g i on s . A sub s p e c i e s N . v . de f o d i e n s - -i s re c o rded by Madge a s o c cu rring from the c oa s tal

regi on s o f Cal i fo rnia n o rth t o Ala ska .

Ni crophoru s marginatu s Fabri c iu s , 180 1

Antennae w i th ba sal p late and t e rmina l thre e s e gment s re d .

Prono tum co rdat e , m ode rate l y narrowed ; s inuate at the a ide s ,

ant e r i o r transve r s e i mpre s s i on s t rong on s i de s , weak o r lacking

in cent e r ; glabrou s , bla ck . Elytra 8 . 25 - 1 0 . 55 mm l ong

(6 . 5 - 1 3 mm [}iadge , 1 95§] ) ; patt e rn as in ]fig . 1 5 ; ep ip leural f o l d red . Me ta s t e rnum and l obe o f me tepime ron w i th l ong

go lden ha irs . Me s o t ib ia e s trongly curved ; metat ib iae weakl y

t o s t r ongly curv e d .

Range : Almost ent i re U . S. and Alb e r t a and Ont ar i o , C anada .

I n I l l ino i s : w ide spread and c ommon .

Adult s c o l l e c t i e d in I l l ino i s from 7 Apri l - 1 6 O c t ober .

Remarks : Th i s c ommon spe c i e s i s e a s i l y i dent i f i e d by the

cha ra c t e ri s t i c s in the key . The subap i cal and

s ome t ime s the subb a s al black band s d o n o t quite

rea c h the epipleural f o l d .

25

N i c roph o ru s ob s cu ru s Ki rby , 1 837

Antennae with ba sal p l a t e black , t e rm inal thre e red . Pron o tum

c ordate , s inua t e at s i de s , ant e r i o r t ran s ve r s e imp re s s i on we ak

or l a c king at c ente r of d i s c , s t r ong at s i de s ; b l a c k and

glabrou s . Elytra 7 . 5 - 1 3 mm l ong ( Madge , 1 958 ) ; pat t e rn a s i n Fi g . 1 6 ; e p ip l eural fold red . Me t a s te rnum and m e t ep im e r on

. wi th l ong g o l den ha i r s . Me s o t ib i ae s l i ght l y curv ed ; me tat ib iae

u sually s t r ongl y curve d .

Range : Northe rn U . S . , Pe nnsylvan i a , I l l ino i s , I owa , Minne s ota ,

we s t t o Idaho and Utah ; al s o in Alb erta , Canada . In

I l l ino i s : Algonqu in , McHenry C o .

Remark s : Rare in I l l in o i s c o l l e c t i on s , and rare o r infrequent

l y c ol l e c te d e l s ewhe re , al though Madge ( 1 958 )

c o l l e c t ed spe c imens a t Calga ry , Alberta .

Ni c roph o rus · inve s t i gat o r ze t t e r s t e dt , 1 8 24

Antennae wi th basal plate pi c e ou s , t e rm inal thre e red .

Prono tum tran s ve r s e , we akly t o s t r ongly narrowed behind ,

u sually s inua t e at s ide s ; ant e r i o r t ran s v e r s e impre s s i on s t rong ;

black , glabrou s . Ely t ra 8 - 1 4 mm l ong ( Madge , 1958 ) ; patt e rn a s in Fig . 1 7 ; e p i p l eural f o l d red . Me s t a s te rnum with go lden

ha irs ; me t e p imeron u sual ly glabr ou s , o r w i th a few y e l l ow o r

brown hai rs . Me s o t ib iae s l i ght ly curve d ; metat ib i a e stra i ght .

Range : In e a s t e rn U . S . from Penn $y lvan i a , I l l in o i s , and

Minne s o ta with a s e p a rate w i d e l y d i s t ribu t e d we s t e rn

26

p opulat ion . In Canada from Newfoundland , Quebe c , Briti sh C olumbia , and Alb e rta . . In I ll i noi s : Normal , Mc clean C o .

Remark s : The species wa s divide d by Mad3e ( 1 9 58 ) into thre e sub speci e s : N . 1• inve s t i gator wi th the range given

above ; J:i . i . n i grita which Madge s ay s i s " e s sent ially "

allopat ric from N . 1 · inves t i �ator and b e l i eve s to be

a subspeci es rathe r than a speci e s as l i s ted by

Arne tt ( 1 944 ) ; and N . 1· mex i c anu s , found in the

s outhwes t , al s o given sp ecie s rank by Arnett. . Madge

stated that N . i . mexicanu s i s m o rpho l o gi c a l ly identi cal to N . l· nigrita ex cept for elytral

pattern , and that the se d i ffe renc e.a coul d b e c au s e d

by envi ronmental fact ors .

N i c rooh o ru s say i C a stelnau , 1840 Antennae wi th ba sal plate pi c e ou s , terminal three red.

Pronotum s l i ghtly squari sh, la t e ra l margins nearly s t ra i ght ,

sl i ghtly narrowed behind , anterior t ran s ve r s e impre s s i on s trong

at side s , weak at c ente r ; bl ack , glabrou s . Elytra 8 - 1 4 . 5 mm

l ong (Madge , 1 958 ) ; pattern as in Fig . 1 8 ; epipleural f o ld

red , c ol o r c ontinuous with subbasal sp o t . Me ta s ternum wi th l ong go lden ha i rs ; lobe of metepime ron with b rown hairs .

Mesotib i ae s l i ghtly curved ; me tat. 1 b 1 ae strongly cu1•ved .

Range : No rthe a s t e rn North Amer i ca � f'rom Newfoundl and s outh

to No rth C_arol ina , we st to M i nne s o ta and l n Man i t o oa ,

27

Ontari o and Quebe c in Canada . In I l l ino i s : wide spread .

Adul t s c olle c ted from I l l ino i s from 1 July - 1 5 Ju ly ( 1 6 Apri l 1 5 July , [j4adge , 1 95� )

Remark s : Thi s spe c ie s i s s imi lar t o li· o rb i c ol l i s but i s much rarer . The elytral hairs are mu ch smal l e r than in the typ i c a l orb i c ol l i s and the epipl eural fold i s

red rathe r than black a s in o rb i c ol l i s . Unc ommon in

I l l inoi s .

'U . . ��- . ,· ·� � ·

j · 1

z� . .. 1· t ... � . t f I l i l t • l l t t

F i g . 1 9 .

28

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r.:-�--..1 FULTON McDON OUGH

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Fig . 24.

33

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34

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39

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40

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42

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L I TERA TURE C I TED

Abb o t t , C . E . 1 92 7 . Exp e rimental da ta on th e o l fa c t o ry s en s e o f C o l e o p t e ra , wi th s p e c i al re fe ren c e t o the Ne c r oph o ri . Ann . Ent . S o c . Am e r . 20 : 2 07-2 1 6 .

Arne t t , R . H . J r . 1 944 . A rev i s i on o f the Nea rtic S 1 l ph 1 n 1 and Ni c ro ph o rin i ba s ed upon th e fema l e gen i t a l i a . J ou rn . N . Y . Ent . S o c . 52 : 1 -25 .

1 963 . The b e e t l e s o f the U . S . Cath o l i c 1 1 1 2 pp . Un i v e r s i ty o f Ame ri c a P re s s , Wa sh ingt on , D . C .

Ba ldu f , W . V . 1 934 . The b i on om i c s o f en t om ophagou s C o l e op · te ra . J . S . Swi ft C o . , Inc . _ , New Y o rk . 220 pp .

D i l l on , E . s . and Lawrenc e s . D i l l o n . 1 96 1 . c omm on b e e t l e s o f Ea s t e rn N o rth Ame r i c a . and C o . Evan s t on , I l l . 884 pp .

A manual o f Row , P e t e r s on

Fab re , J . H . 1 966 . Th e in s e c t wo rl d o f J . Henri Fab re ( t ran s l a t i on A . T e i xe i ra del·fa t t o s ) . D odd , Mead and C o . ,

N e w Yo rk . 333 pp.

Hat ch , Melville H . 1 92 7 . S tud i e s on th e c arr i on b e e t l e s o f Minne s o t a . Univ . Minn . Agr . Exp . St a . , Te ch . Bu l l . N o . 48 . 1 9 pp.

1 92 7 . N . Y . Ent . S o c . 3 5 :

S tud i e s on th e S i l ph inae . 33 1 - 370 .

J our .

H o rn , G . H . 1 88 0 . Syn op s i s o f the S i lphidae o f the U . S . wi th re fe ren c e t o the ge n e ra o f o the r c ountri e s . T ran s . Am . En t . S o c . 8 : 2 1 9-322 .

Madge , R . B . 1 958 . A taxonom i c s tudy o f t he e;enu s Ne c rouh o ru s in Ame ri c a n o rth o f Mex i c o . M . s . th e s i s , Un i v e rs i t y o f I l l ino i s .

Mi lne , L . J . and M . J . M i l n e . 1 944 . N o t e s on the b ehavi o r o f bury ing b e e t l e s ( N i c roph o ru s app . )

P o rtev i n , G . 1 926 . Le s Grand s Ne c r o phage s du Gl obe . Enc y . Ent . 6 : 1 - 270 .

45

Rat c l i f fe , B . C . , and R . J . Lu e d tke . 1 96 9 . A c ompa r i s on o f s ilphids taken from c o v e re d and un c ov e r e d c a rr i on . C o l e op . Bu l l . 2 3 : 1 03- 1 05 .

S t e e l e , B . F . 1 92 7 . N o t e s on th e f e e d ing hab i t s o f c arri on b e e t l e s . J ou rn . N . Y . Ent . S o c . 3 5 : 77- 8 1 .

Shube c k , P . P . 1 968 . Orientat i on o f c arri on b e e t l e s t o c a rr i on : random o r non- rand om ? J ou rn . N . Y . Ent . S o c . 76 : 2 53 - 2 6 5 .

1 970 . Silphidae a t t ra c t i on t o c a rri on-ba i t ed a i r can s versu s c arri on-ba i t e d ground c an s . C o l e o p . Bul l . 24 : 66-70 .

Eastern Illinois UniversityThe Keep1975

A Faunal Study of Illinois Silphidae (Coleoptera)Brian BaldwinRecommended Citation

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