Nicrophorus marginatus - Red and black burying beetle

Adult: 14-24mm.

Order Coleoptera/ Family Silphidae - Carrion Beetles

The species is common in lower elevations of Southern California, including Sorrento Valley, near Torrey Pines State Reserve, or wherever there is suitable carrion. Known also as sexton beetles, these insects specialize in burying dead rodents, snakes and other small animals. The male and female work together, securing the carcass below ground to prevent desiccation and carrion flies laying their eggs on it. They also clip away the hair to prepare it for egg-laying and to destroy any other insect eggs present. The pair will stay to care and defend their eggs and larval brood until they pupate to become adults. Two other species that are common to our area are Nicrophorus guttulus, the Yellow-bellied Burying Beetle, a black species with dense yellow hairs ventrally and Nicrophorus nigritus, the Black Burying Beetle which is similar to the latter but underside has black hairs.