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1975 A Faunal Study of Illinois Silphidae (Coleoptera) Brian Baldwin Eastern Illinois University This research is a product of the graduate program in Zoology at Eastern Illinois University. Find out more about the program.
Recommended Citation Baldwin, Brian, "A Faunal Study of Illinois Silphidae (Coleoptera)" (1975). Masters Theses. 2487. https://thekeep.eiu.edu/theses/2487
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{CoJeoptera) S1Jphidae (TITLE)
BY
Brian Baldwin Ed., 1971 B.S. in Eastern Illinois University,
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
1975YEAR
I HEREBY RECOMMEND THIS THESIS BE ACCEPTED AS FULFILLING
THIS PART OF THE GRADUATE DEGREE CITED ABOVE
ADVISER f By Brian Baldwin Ed., Eastern Illinois University, 1971 B.S. in ABSTRACT OF A THESIS Submitted fulfillment of the requirements for the in partial degree of of at the Graduate School of Master Science Eastern Illinois University CHARLESTON, ILLINOIS 1975 of the family Silphidae Illinois was A faunal study in made through examination of over 1400 A brief specimens. history of the taxonomy of the family a description of silphid and ecology was presented. Key� to the tribes, genera, species and of adult occurring in Illinois were ivised . S1lphidae d Four genera and sixteen species of ailphids described, supple are mented with drawings and distribution maps. - undersigned, appointed the Head of the of Zoology, The by Department examined a thesis entitled have Faunal Study of Illinois (Coleoptera) A Silphidae Presented by Brian Baldwin candidate for of Master of a the degree Science and certify that in their opinion it is acceptable. hereby OF CONTENTS TABLE . •• • Acknowledgements ••••. • • ...... • . i ...... List of and Figures ••••••••••••••••••••••• •••• • •• • •••• Tables 11 • • Introduction •• • ••• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 1 • • • Literature Review • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 2 • • • • • • • • • • • Taxonomy. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • . 2 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Ecology ••• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 3 • • • • • • • • • • • Methods and N:ater ial • ••••. ror·•• ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• • 8 s Results Discussion • • ••• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • .9 and • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • to Silphidae • • ••• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 9 Key • • • • • • • Description of the Species • • ••••••••••••••••••••••• ••••17 Literature Cited ...... •...... •...... 44 1 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS author would like to thank Dr. Michael Goodrich The A. his advice and guidance during the research and writing for this paper. author also indebted to Richard of The is Dr. f r his comments and criticism of the paper, and Dr. Funk o M. W. Sanderson for help in preparing a key. following curators The and individuals contributed suggestions and/or specimens have for this study: Dr. Rupert Wenzel and Dr. Henry Field Dybas, Natural History; Dr. Sanderson, Natural Museum of M. W. History Survey; Dr. Western Illinois Yale Sedman, University; Garland Eastern Illinois University; Dr. Dr. Riegel, J. E. McPherson, Illinois University; Dr. ewart Southern St Peck, Carleton and Dr. Arnett Jr., Biological University; R. H. Research Institute of America, Inc. 11 OF AND FIGURES LIST TABLES Table 1 classification of tribes genera of North AmericanThe Silphidae as recognizedand by Horn, Hatch and Arnett ...... •...... •.... .•...... ••••• ..• • .•.7 Figure. 1 Antenna of Nicrophorus ••••••• •••••••••• ••••••••• ••• ••••1 3 2 Antenna of Necrodes •••••••••••••••••• ••••••••••• • ••• • ••1 3 3 Antenna of Necronhilus ••••••••• •••••••• •••••• •••• ••• •••1 3 4 Pronotum of Necrodes • •••••. •••••••••••••••••••••••• ••••1 3 5 Pronotum of Silpha •••• •••••••••• •••••••••• ••• •••• • ••• ••1 4 6 Pronotum of Necronhilus ••••••• •• ••••••• •••••••••••••••• 14 7 Pronotum of Nicrophorus carolinus •••••• ••• ••••••••• • •••14 8 Pronotum Nicronhorus orbicollis ••••••••• ••••••••••• • 14 of 9 elytron of Nicronhorus carolinus ••••• • • •••• ••••••• 15 Left 10 Left Nicrophorus orbicollis • ••••••••••••••••15 elytron of - 11 Left elytron of Nicrophorus tomentosus • ••••••••••••• • ••1 5 12 Left elytron of Nicrophorus americanus ••••••••••••••••• 15 13 of Nicrophorus ••••••••••• ••••••15 Left elytron pustulatus 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 ••••••••••••••••• ••••••16 Nicrouhorus sayi 111 19 Silpha americana collection sites Illinois ••••••••••28 in 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 surinamensis collection sites in Illinois, ••••32 24 net ti collection sites in Illinois ••••••.• 33 Necrophilua ti 25 Nicrophorus carolinus collection sites in Illinois •• •••34 26 Nicronhorus. orbicollia collection sites in Illinois ••••35 27 Nicrophorus tomentoaus collection sites in Illinois ••••3 6 28 Nicrophorus americanus collection sites in Illinois ••• • 37 29 Nicrophorus pustulatus collection sites in Illinois ••••38 30 icrou orus vespilloides collection in Illinois 39 N h sites •• 3L Nicrophorus collection sites in Illinois ••••4 0 marginatus 32 Nicrophorus obscurus collection s i tes in Illinois ••• ••• 41 33 Nicrophorus investigator collection sites Illinois ••42 in 34 Nicrophorua collection sites in Illinois • • •••••• • • 43 sayi 1 INTRODUCTION The common members of the family Silphidae re medium to a large size beetles often found on carrion. Placed in the Staphylinoidea they may be distinguished from other members the their clavate or capitate 10 - 11 of superfamily by segmented antennae pubescence on at lea t segments 9 - 11, with s large front coxae, and enlarged p ono um . The elytra often r t bear or orange markings . red this paper the author has attempted to the In list species of silphids have been f u d Illinois. Keys, which o n in descriptions, i a i and distribution maps have been llustr t ons e ed aid in dev lop to identification. 2 LITERATURE REVIEW Taxonomy number of workers have made contributions to the A 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 (20 of these genera are U.S. now pla ced in .other families ) . Horn (1880) des ribed several c ecie including one found in Illi nois ( Necrophilus new sp s, pettiti). He listed 10 specie of which are s Nicrophorus considered to be valid, and described three varieties which are now viewed as full species. In the genus Silpha� tribe Silphini, he pla ed 10 species including surinamensis, subse c quently pla ed by some authors Necrodes. c in Portevin (1926) included the tribes Nicrophorini for Nicrophorus; Necrodini with the genera Necrodes, Protonecrodes and Silphini including twenty genera and three Diamesus; and subgenera. Hatch (1927) reviewed the genera, and species of tribes, Silphidae and reduced family to a subfamily of the family the Staphylinidae. included seven tribes and 35 genera ( Ta le 1) He b and provided keys to genera, subgenera, and aberrations species, or varieties of speci s and included to larvae. Hatch e , keys included a phylogenetic key species groups the tribe to of 3 Nicrophorini. Included the keys were several fossil species in from the Miocene of France and ol rado . C o 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 distributio of other species n demonstrate a Bering Strait connection. Arnett (1944) included only the Neartic Silphini and N1crophorin1 in his evi s ion based on the female genitalia. r He listed 19 species of Nicrophorini (all Nicrophorus ) and - 13 species of Silphini which he placed in three enera and two g subgenera. He later (Arnett, 1963) abandoned his 1944 scheme and a cepted that of Hatch (1927). Arnett (1944) listed 46 c .. species of Silphidae from North America and ncl ded synonomies i u 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 four tribes occuring include in North America ( Table 1 ) , and representatives of three occur in Illinois. also included a concise classification and key to the He genera of the United States. Ecology Many papers have been written about the habits of silphids, especial N1crouhorin1; only a few authors have ly the however, an in even a depth covera5e of few S?ccies. 4 Balduf (1935) de s rib ed several European species of c hat eat snails, caterpillars, or fly larvae He silphids t . observat ion by Bell in 1830 the ea est recorded notes an as rli observation of Nicrophorus feeding on maggots. Bell observed about 40 specimens of humator, N. ve soil lo and N. littoralis N. , remov ing ma ots from the carcass of a dog. Each beetle ate gg ab out one maggot every five minutes. Balduf (1935) also reports that Pukowski found that at ea t six species of l s N1crophorus (N. humator, !· vespillo, !· vespilloides, fossor, N. !· investigator and N- german1cus) all eat rvae dipterous la ; � at least for part of the r adult.diet. In to i addition feeding worms, and Nicrophorus will eat flesh of on snails, insects, vertebrates but prefer fresh an imals to the highly decomposed flesh. Larvae feed on snails (Phosphuga,.. Ablattaria), cater- pillars (Xylodrepa), and t some cases Nicrophorus a least in are fed partly by female on liqu ified carr ion. the adult In captivity of some species may be c nnib l larvae and adults a a istic. Aft er finding small (mouse to robin size) dead a vertebrate animal, one or more Nicrophorus carry or drag the carcass to a uit ble site for burial. Usually one or a pair s a of the same species work t oget er driving off other spe cies h , flies, nts Bur ial.may take five to eight of beetles, a , etc. hours depending on the size of the carrion, soil type,, and terrain. Nicroohorus mate before, during and/or af er burial t ot the vertebrate Frequently o e or both members of animal. n a pair of carcass, away beetles leave the running or flying and a ( 1944) returning asain in few minutes. l(ilne and Milne 5 observed an individual of tomentosus leave and return to N. the carcass four times within an hour, each time flying out of sight. Burial is effe cted by plowing the earth with head and cutting o ots o r obstructions t e way. The beetles any r in h usually cooperate in carrying and digging and plowing the ground around the carcass. Balduf (1935) noted that when mating or when bothered by a competitor or an obs truction Nicrophorus stridulates audibly by rubbing the upper surface of the abdomen under the elytra. { This sound can be demonstrated in specimens preserved in alcohol well ) . After the carcass is buried a few inches, as the hair or feathers are remo ved and the carcass more or less formed a ball by the beetle pressing with its feet the in into soft body while bracing the back against the surrounding earth. Eggs are laid in a t nnel or passage-way a few inches from the u covered carrion. An average of 14 - 15 eggs are laid by females of !� vesoillo ( Bal duf , 1935). During the five days it takes for the eggs to hatch, th e (usually) into or on or female eats, digs the carrion, rests near it. Upon hatch ng the larvae dig or crawl to carrion. i the Apparently the female beetle feeds the larvae at least for five or six hour s during the first instar after which the larvae start feeding on own. After the first and second molt their the larvae again depend on the female for food a sh rte for o r amo unt o f time. The three inatars the larvae of of Nicrophorus take about one first and second week, the melt at 12 hours, the at 24 hours. The third instar pupates after crawling through �- r� · 6 far as 30 cm. The newly emerged the soil as adults remain in the pupal cell for up to four days before coming to the surface. {1935) states most show Nicrophorus over-winter Bulduf studies in the "prepupal" condition. The stage species pupal in observed by lasted 14 to 15 Pukowski days. Other works on behavior published by Steele {1927), were Abbott {1927), Fabre (1899), and {1968 1970). Shubeck ; 7 Table 1. The classification of tribes and genera of North American Silphidae as re cognized by Horn, Hatch and Arnett. Horn ( 1880) Hatch (1927) Arnet t (1963) Silphini Nicroph orini Nicrophorini Nicrophorus �icrophorus Nicrophorus (19)* Necrodini Silphin i Necrodes Necr odes Necrodes (2) Silphini Silpha Silpha Silpha (9) Blitophaga (2) Agyrtini Agyrtini Nec rophilu s . Necronhilus Ne crophilus (2) !_gyrte s Agyrte s Agyrtes (2) Pelates Pe la Pelatine s (1) Sphaerites tines Lyrosomini Lyrosom.1ni Pteroloma Pteroloma (5) Apatetica Lyrosomini Lyrosoma Lyrosoma Lyrosoma (1) Apteroloma Anteroloma (3) * number within the parentheses the number of Thespec ies recorded for North America.indicates 8 METHODS MATERIALS AND A total of 1407 ecimen s from Il linois were examined sp in the course of this study. studied were from Collections the Field Museum of Natural is o Chicago; Natural Hi sto y H t ry , r Survey , Urbana; o t rn Ill inois University, S u he Carbondale; East ern Illin ois University , Charleston; e ern Illinois W st U ive sity Macomb; er s onal collections of Dr. i c ae Goodrich, n r , p M h l Dr. S e ar B. Peck, and the t w t author. Specimens were collected the a thor from 1970 to 1975 by u from road kills in situ , bait traps the type of employed by Shubeck (1970), covered and uncovered c rrion the man er a in n employed by atcliffe and Luedtke (1969), and black light R traps. col cti g the co l c or, and locati n as The date of le n , l e t o as any ecological information recorded from each well was ci en Americ Optical.stereo dissect ing spe m examined. An an microscope providing 7x 30x was used examining from to in specimens. Genit lia were dissected and studied from 25 a specimens. Keys initially were those of Arnett (1944; used 1963); Madge (1958); Dillon and Dillon {1960); Hatch {1927); Dr. (personal communication). and M. W. Sanderson 9 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Key to the Silphidae of Illinoi s 1. Second articl e of antennae at least one-half length of third article. Antennae distinctly eleven segmented ...• .•.•..••. ..• . ••.. • .• .... .•...... ••2 Second article of antennae less than one half length of third article, hidden in tip of first segment so antennae appear ten segmented (Fig. 1) • •••• ••• • •••• ••••••••••••••• • .•••••• •. •••••••••• • tribe Nicrophorini 2. Antennae sl ender to strongly clavate ( Fig. 2), eight basal segment s glabrous, terminal three pubescent. Body shape depressed, broadly ovate to oblong, dull. Metathorac1c wings present • •••••••••• ••• tr1be Silphini Antennae slender, clavate ( Fig. 3), six.basal segments glabrous, terminal five segments pubescent . Body shape ovate, convex, shin ing. Metathoracic wings i • ••••••. ••••••• ••• ••••••• •••••• lack ng., tribe Agyrtini Tribe Silphini - Key to Genera 1. Eyes large and prominent, occip ital ridge prominent, prono tum nearly round, black, shining (F ig. 4), body elonga te ••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Genus Necrodes Eyes not 'prominent, occipital ridge not prominent, pron otum and elytra not shining, pronotum as .in ...... • .. 5 . . . . _ Genus Sil Fig. oha Genus Silpha Pronotum much wide r than head, as wide as ba se of elyt ra, {Fig. 5); variously colored, glabrous or tomentose. Elytra or brown; frequently costate, tubercula te or rugose. black Antennae eleven segmented, clavate, terminal three segments 10 pubescent. Body sha e depressed, broadly ovate, not p shining. Genus Silpha - Key to Species 1. Pronotum yellow or reddish with central black area •••••• • • 2 Pronotum black ... .•.... •.•.•..••...•....._ .....• ..• .•.•.•. . 3 2. Elytra ru o s pronotum yellow with central small black g e spot • ••••, ••••• ••••••••••• • •••••••••••• americana Silnha Elytra with prominent costae, pronotum reddish with large black spot • ••• ••••• •••••••• Siluha novaboracensis 3. ro ot with dense yellow hairs, elytral costae P n um tomentose tuberculate •••••••••••••••••••••••••••S l a lapponica i ph · Pronotum glabrous; elytra costae without tubercles • • ••••••• � •••• •••• • • •••••••••• • ••••••••••••••••Sil ha 1naequalis p Genus Necrodes Pronotum oval (Fig. 4), black, shi in , form elongate; n g elytra black usually with apical spots forming a bar, red someti�es with red ba al markings or immaculate. Antennae s eleven segmented, strongly clavate, basal eight segments - glabrous, last three pubescent; eyes large, prominent; occipital ridge prominent. One found in Illinois. species •••• ••••••• •••• •••••••••••••• ••••••••••••• c des surinamensis Ne ro Tribe Agyrtini Genus Necronhilus Pronotum brownish, shining (Fig. 6), glabrous. Elytra nine rows of Antennae brownish, shining, with punctures. clavate with baoo.l segments five with six glabrous, last pubescent club. species found in Body shape oval. One Ill1no1s ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••Necronh1lus pettiti 11 Tribe N1crophor1ni Genus Nicrophorus · Pr notum variously shaped (Fig. 7, 8), glab ou or tomen o r s tose. Elytra shortened trun cate, frequently with red or , orange spots. Antennae apparently of ten segments, the second segment short and more or less hidden in the tip of the first segment. Antennae capitat , the last four segments forming e a distinct club (Fig. 1). thick-bodied, not depressed Beetle s or oval. Genus icro horus - Key to Species N p 1. Pronotum oboval, dense.punctation on anterior third · (Fig. 7); epipleural fold very narrow (Fig. 9) •.•••,· � •. • •••••••••••••••• •••••••••• •••••• • ••••••• r l a . ca o inus N. 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 ind tibiae not h 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; pi leural fold or black ••••• •••••••• ••••• 4 e p red 4. Pronotum large red or orange spot and frons red; with ep ipleural fold red • •••••• • • •••••••••••••! • americanus Pronotum and frons entirely epipleural fold red or black; • black .••..••. .•..••.•. ...•...•••.•..••••.•... ..•· ••.. 5 ' 5. Elytra entirely black or subbasal one or two apical orange withred one smallepipleural foldand or spots; black •••••••••••••••• ••••• • ••••••••• ••••! · pustulatus with large or orange bands; epipleural fold • Elytra red red • • • • • • ••••••••••••• · •••••• ••••••••••• •• • •••••••••••••6 .• 12 6. Antennal club entirely black ••••••••••••••• vespilloides N. Antennal club partly red orange •••••••••••••••••••••••• 7 or 7. Subapical black bands not quite reaching edge of epipleural fold; basal plates of antennal club orange; lobe of metepimeron wit long golden hairs •••••••�. marginatus h Subapical black bands reach edge epipleural fold; basal plate of antennae black; lobeof of metepimeron with or without golden hairs •••••••••••••••••••••••••••• •••• 8 � 8. of metepimeron long golden hairs ••••••!. obscur� Lobe with Lobe metepimeron without golden hairs •••••••••••••••••• 9 of 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 -- - ····---- _ ...... ______-·-··· . .... - ,.,. ... _ --.... ,.,..,,.. - ...... ------ 14 Fig. 5 . 6. Pronotum of Silpha Fig. Pronotum of Necroohilus 6·-c·1----�::J_·. ! . :·- : ·-·::·: ·: =::'.:-_::·�--��·:/�-:. .. Fig. 7 . Pronotum Fig. 8. Nicrophorusof carolinus Pronotum of Nicrophorus orbicollis I 15 . - . . . . · : : . : . ,:· . .. . : : . . . � . . : . . ' . : ...... : · .. : . . . . ' ·. . . . . ...... : .. .. .·· ·o· .. •...... · . 4 . . • . . • : . • 9. f elytron of Fig. 10. Left lytr n Fig. Le t e o of orbicollis · N. carolinus N. . 11. y or· Fig. Left el tron N. tomentosus �f • •• . · . . · .. · .. ..'· , • I : • • ·:' :· ...... : : . .. : . · : ...... : . - : • •,'. . I ' ' • • ·. I . , -: ...... '. Q:·. :;·� ·;: ...... · ...... · - : : . . . 4 . . · .. : . . . ·... . : ·�. : . . . ; · · . . " . . . . . · · . . . ·.: ·. . . · . . .. . M:: . . . · . . . . a· . . .' :: : • . . : . .. : o: v. Q ...... · . . I ..- :. . · . ·. . . ·.· 12. of :· Fig. i . 13. Left elytron g elytron of F Left N. americanus N. pustulatus 16 Fig. 14. Left elytron Fig. 15. elytron of vespilloidesof Leftmarg1natus N. N. Fig. 16. ef o _L tobscurus elytron f N. 17. Left elytron Fig. 18. Left elytron of Fig. investigatorof N. �· 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 as wide as twice long (Fig. 5), yellow with central spot. Ely tra small black blackish; rugose with indistinct coatae, punctate; length 11 - 13 mm. Body ovate. Eastern North America. In Illinois: nd Range: widespread a common. Adults collected Illinois from - 29 September. in 14 April 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 occipital ridge not and 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 widespread. and Illinois 18 - 5 November. Adults collected in fror:; �!;arch 18 Herbst, 1793 Silpha J.appon1ca Antennae eleven-segmented, clavate, basal eight segments glabrous, last three pubescent. normal; occipital ridge Eyes lacking; head covered with yellow pubescence. Pronotum transverse; usually densely covered pubescence; with yellow tuberculate. Elytra brown; with four rows of distinct tubercles; length 7 9 mm. oblong-ovate. - Body Northern United States; Canada. In Illinois: Cook and Range: McHenry counties. Adults collected in Illinois from 5 15 August. May - Silpha inaequalis Fabricius, 1781 Antennae eleven-segmented, clavate, basal eight segments glabrous, last three pubescent. Eyes and occipital not ridge prominent. Pronotum transverse, twice as long; black. wide as Elytr black; tricostate, outer costae ending in sl ght a i tubero sity punctate; length from 7 10 mm. Body oblong , - ovate. a s ern North America. In Illinois: common wide Range: E t and spread. Adults collected Illinois.from 23 March 20 July. in - 19 1792 Necrodes surinamensis Fabricius, Antennae eleven-segmented, strongly clavate, basal eight segments glabrous, last pubescent. Eyes large, pro three minant; occipital ridge prominant. Pronotum oval (Fig. 4); b ack shining. Elytra black, usually with red apical spots l , forming a bar, sometimes with red basal markings or immaculate; three distinct co t e extending the len th of disc; with s a g length 10 18 mm. Body elongate. - Range : Eastern America. n Illinois: common and wide North I spread. Adults collected in Illinois from 9 April 25 October. - Remarks: Males show allometric growt with arge males having h l much more enlarged femora and strongly curved tibiae. Females do not show this development. cro i s Horn, 1880 Ne ph lu pettiti Antennae eleven-segmented, clavate, basal six segments glabrous, last five pubescent. Pronotum as in Fig. 6, shining, punctures along latera margin, disc with punctures. l tra convex l few E y ne rows of punctures, runcate at extreme apex, brown with ni t and shining. Metathoracic wings lack� ng . Range: Eastern U.S., Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio. In Carbondale, Jackson County. Illinois: Adult collectcJ 19 1971. in Illinois: haJ, 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 carrion bait traps in Tennessee in in 1971. Nicrophorus carolinus (Linnaeus), 1771 Antennae basal late red, terminal three red, last segment with p flattened. Pronotum oboval { Fig. 7), narro ed sin at w behind, u e at the sides lacking anteri r transverse impression; anterio r , o third of prono�um densely punctate, central disc weakly and sparsely punctate; black, glabrous. lytra 7 - 13.5 mm long E ( 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 ncu rved. i Range: Atlantic and Gulf Coast states, f rom Texas northward through Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, and westward into New Mexico and Arizona. Also Alberta, in Canada. n Urbana, Champaign County. I Illipois: Adults co lecte from 21 July.;;..,, :August. l d This species has not been seen by the author in any Remarks: collection of Illinois but l s te by silphids, is i d Maqge (1958) occuring in Urbana. The range of the as species, an eastern .and separate western popula with tion unusual and poses questions regarding the is c tual distribution of the species. a 21 Nicrouhorus orbicollis Say, 1825 Antennae basal segment piceous, terminal three red. The with prono um is orbi u ar well rounded at the sides, with a wide t c l , margi at and sides; blac ( Fig. 9). Elytra 9.45 - n base k 12.45 mm long (8.5 - 15.5 mm [_Madge, 1958]); color pattern as in Fig. 10, elytral disc long erect hairs, epipleural with fold brownish-black. Metasternum with golden pubescence, lobe of e e i ero nearly gla ro . Mesotibiae slightly m t p m n b us curved, metatibiae straight, distal end widened in males. Range: _Central a t r United Sta , as far as and e s e n tes west Texas, records for California and C orado also in ol ; Ontario and Nova Scotia. Illi ois : widespread. In n Adults c l e ed in Illinois from 16' April - 21 o l ct October. Nicrophorus tomentosus Weber, 1801 with basal plate and term al segments piceous. Antennae in Pro otum transverse, some at squarish, moderately narrowed n wh behind, golden sinuate at sides; .densely tomentose with pubes cence except ·for two elliptical areas on Elytra 6.8 - disc. 10 mm lon (5.5 - 1 1 mm @adge, 195§] ); c o r patt in g lo ern as Fig. 11; epipleural fold red. Metasternum with long ol en g d pubescence, lo e metepimeron gl br us or with few b of a o a brown hairs . Mesotibiae slightly metatibiae to golden incurved; straight; spine of metatrochanter short, straight in female s , strongly hooked in ��les. 22 Range : Eas tern to Georgia, we st to New Mexico, north U.S. to Canada , Manitoba , Nova Scotia , Ontario. Illinois : In widespread and comm on. Adults collected in Illinois from 1 May 16 October. - Nicronhoru s americanu s Olive r 1791 , An tennae with plate and terminal three red; basal segments frons red . Pronotum orbicular, with disc re d, margins black and glabroua. Elytra 13 20 mm long (Madge , 1958); color - pattern as Fig . 12; epipleural fold red . Me tas ternum long in with golden hairs ; lobe of metepimeron with short brown to golden ha irs mostly the lateral surface . Mesotibiae slightly on curved; metatibiae strongly curved . Range : Eastern U.S. from Ma s sachusetts to Georgia , we s tward throu gh Arkansas , Texas , north in to Ontario , Canada . In Illinois : widespread . Adult s collected in Illinois from 1 6 May 26 August. - Remarks : I have not seen any specimens col lected more recently May 16, 1944 from Illinois . Because of it s than large size and col orful appearance sur this is prising unle ss it has become rare . 23 Nicrophorus Herschel , 1807 nustulatus Antennae with basal black , terminal three red . segment Pronotum transverse , slightly narro e and w d behind ; black gla rou . l t a 7 - 11 • 85 l on ( 8 - 13 mm [}iadge , 195� ) b s E y r nun g ; o l o r patt rn as in Fig. 13; epipleural ·fold Metasternum c e black. usually with o d n lobe of metepimeron glabrou s g l e pube scence ; or with short brown hairs . Me sotibiae slightly meta curved ; t ibi straight . ae Eastern and c en a to Fl orida ; O ari o and Quebec Range : tr l U.S. nt in Canada . In Illinois ; wide spread and common. Adults collec ted Illinois from 30 ar c to 24 October. in M h Ni crophorus vesn1llo1de s e rb t 178 4 H s , Antennae with basal plate and terminal club black . Pronot m u transve rse , s lightly to moderat e l y narrowed behind , s nuate i at the sides, with a strong anterior transverse impression . Elytra 6 - 1 2 mm long (Madge , 1958); atte rn as in Fig. 14; p epipleural fold color usually black at and apex , red humeru s midport ion. Metasternum with long o den pube scence , in g l spa se at center; lobe of metepimeron with short brown hairs . r Me sot1b1ae slightly curved ; metatibiae straight . Range : Northeastern U.S. , Tennessee and North Caro l ina , we stern popul ation from Utah and C o l or d o separate a north to Alaska . In Illinois : Volo b o g , Lake Co. 24 Adults collected in Illinois from 15 July 27 August • - Remark s: Thi s s e c ie s rare in Ill inois. colle ctions . As p is Madge ( 1 958 ) sugge sted , it may be a re sident of cool fore ste d regions . A subspecies N. v. defodiens - - is recorded by Madge as o c cu rrin from the coastal g regions of California north to Alaska . Nicrophorus marginatu s Fabricius , 1801 basal plate and e mina l three segment s red. Antennae with t r ronotum c o rdat e moderately narrowed ; s inua e at the aides, t P , anterior transverse impression strong on s ides, weak or lacking in center; glabrous, bla ck . Elytra 8.25 10.55 long - mm (6. 5 13 mm [}iadge , 195§] ) pattern as in ]fig. 15; ep ip leural - ; fold red . Me tasternum and lobe of with long me tepime ron hair . Me sotibiae s tron ly curved; metatibiae weakly golden s g to strongly curved . Range : Almost entire U.S. and Alberta and Ontario, Canada . In Illinois : wide spread and common . Adults collectied in Illinois from 7 April 16 October. - Remarks : This common species is easily identified by the characteristics in The subapical and the key. sometime s subbasal black bands do not quite the reach epipleural fold. the 25 Nicrophorus obscurus 1837 Kirby , with p late terminal three red . Pro o um Antennae basal black , n t cordate , sinuate at s i d s anterior transverse impre s sion weak e , or at of disc , strong sides; black and l acking center at glabrous . Elytra 7.5 13 mm long ( Madge , 1958); pattern as - in Fig. 16; epipleural fold red . Metasternum and metepimeron .with long golden hai rs . e s t ib ae slightly curved ; metatibiae M o i usually strongly curved. Range : Northern U.S. , Pennsylvania , Illinoi s, Iowa , Minne sota , we st to Idaho and Utah ; also A be t Canada . In in l r a , Illinois: Algonquin , McHenry Co . Remarks : Rare in Illinois collections , and or infrequent rare ly collec ted elsewhere , although Madge (1958 ) c o llected spec imens at Alberta . Calga ry , inve stigator zetterstedt , 1824 Nicrophorus· Antennae with basal plate p ceous terminal three i , red. Pronotum transverse , weakly strongly to narrowed behind , usually sinuate sides ; anterior transverse impre ssion st ong; at r black , glabrous . Elytra 8 1 4 mm long ( Madge , 1958 ); pattern - in Fig. 17; epipleural fold Mestaste rnum with g lden as red . o ha irs ; metepimeron u su ly gl b ous or a yellow l a a r , with few or hairs . slightly curved ; metatibiae straight . brown Me sotibiae Range : In eastern from Penn$ylvania , Illinois, U.S. and Minne sota a separate distributed with widely we stern 26 population . In Canada from Newfoundland , Quebec, Briti sh Columbia , and Alberta . .In Illinois: Normal, Mcclean Co . Remarks: The species by Mad3e (1958 ) into three was divided subspecies : 1• investigator with the range given N. above ; J:i. i. nigrita which Madge says is "essentially " allopatric from N. 1· investi�ator and believes to be a subspec ies rather than a species as listed by Arnett (1944 ); an N. 1· fo d in d mexicanus , un the southwes t, al o sp ecie s Madge s given rank by Arnett . . stated that i. mexicanus is morphologically N . identical to N. l· nigrita except for elytral pattern , and that the se difference.a could be caused by environmental factors . Nic roohorus sayi Castelnau , 1840 Antennae with basal plate piceous , terminal three red. Pronotum slightly squarish, latera l margins nearly straight , narrowed behind , anterior transverse impression strong sl ightly sides, weak at center; black , glabrou s. Elyt ra 8 - 14.5 mm at (Madge , 1958); pattern as Fig. 18; epipleural fold long in red , color continuous with subbasal Me tas ternum with sp ot . long golden hairs ; lobe of metepimeron with brown hairs . Mesotib iae slightly curved; strongly cu1•ved . metat.1b1ae Northeastern North America� south Range : f'rom Newfoundland North C_arolina, we st to t o oa , to Minnesota and ln Man i 27 Ontario and Quebec Canada . In in Illinois : widespread . collected from Illinois from 1 July - 15 July (16 April Adults 1 5 July , [j4adge, 1 95� ) species i s similar to li· orbicollis is Remarks : Thi s but much rarer. elytral hairs ar than The e mu ch smaller in orbicollis and the fold the typical epipleural is red than black as Unc ommon rather in orbicol lis. in Illinois. 28 ... 'U,· ·� �· .. ��- . !:flli'lll.rt�UN WtNm UA1..0 uu�11U Mt.Ill rmt •I AKI. • KALB KANE COOK OGLE OE LEE KAllKAl rROQUOIS j ·1 •• • EDGAR FAYE TTE JASPER BOND HFIN·'HAM __ r----1 CLAY t:;-;:: J �.,,,--,- ,_ ..._, r. HAMILTON WHITE Fig . 19. sites in Silpha americana collection Illinois t� .... f z�... I l 1·• i l l t t tl 29 • �· ·ij �-4 . �IU'llt N:OllN WlhNl UAt.O 1Jo1 1r11 Mtlll lllU' IAKL O GLE LEE KEtlDALL WILL �-''----l GRUNDY KAllKAKE£ IROQUOIS FULTON M OE WITT • • • EDGAR I 1 , I ' I I l: l l I JASPER I I EFrl�GHA\t CLAY l MARION I WAH4E I JEffERSON• tiAMILTON WHITE FRA' • SALIN! WILLIA�!SON 20. collection Fig. Silpha novaboracensis sites in Illinois r L 30 It l '� . l :.illf'lll N�.UN wirmt llhl.10 Ull11tU Mdll rm1 I AKI. • OGLE DE KALB KANE COOK WIUl[SIO[ LEE ·.-1 GRU�OY KANKAKEE IROQUOIS FORD VERMIUOH 1------l CHIJIPAIG� OE Will ·. 1 ADAVS EDGAR r.tARX H�MILTON fRANKLIN WHITE SAL!rl[ WILLIAMSON Fig. 21 lapnonica collection sites Illinois Silpha in • . . . . l · . . ni l . �t j. 1 i. . t ! 31 t' I f l- Il � i l j ()£KALB KAii[ f l j ' GRUNDY KANKAKEE ' l 1t � IROQUOIS j l r.:-�--..1 FULTON McDON •OU GH VERMILION • EDGAR Fig. 22. Silnha inaequali s col le ction sites in Illinois 32 1l �- W\NNl UALO /IU' •fll OGLE DE KALB ! LEE 1 Will .J -'----i ! KENDALL .., GRUNDY 'l1 KANKAKEE ! IROQUOIS I ;.! :i ,'l\ VERMILION l .l i-,C_,.H,.,,.=rt.c:1G"'N--t • OE WITT • ; • 1.' EDGAR II' • JASPER 23 . Fig . Nec rode s surinamensis co llection sites in Illinois 33 OGLE [)(KALB KANE COOK LEE KENOALL WILL -'---i GRUNOY VERMILION OE CHl.MrAIGN Will ADAMS i EOGAR I CLARK I· fAY£ 11E JASPER [HINGHAM CLAY MARION WAYNl WHITE HAMILTON SALINE 24. pettiti in Fig . Nec rophilus col lection sites Illinois . . . n'fI lJ ] �.f· l� f l 34 VERlllUOH '-Ttow-L�----_J1-----ICHA�rAIGN OE WITT • EDGAR CLARK FAYE ITE JASPER EFFIN•jHAM. CLAY MARION \llAYNl HAM!LTON WHITE FRANKLIN SALINE WILLIAMSON 2 5. Illinois Fig. Nicrophorus carolinu s collection site s in n r·i 1 li l 1 J I! ' 35 Yt'INNl llAt,;O \Hl• 1fj! MLlll NH'f ll\J<,J. OG E • KALB L 0C KANE • LEE •• Will .----'---! ou r KENDALL GRUNDY KANKAKEE IROQUOIS LIVINGSTON FORD VERMILION 1-C-•HA-� -PA-IGll---t DE WITT • • t. JASPER • Effl�·•• CLAY HAM MARION WAYNE HAMILTOll WHITE FRANKLIN• SALINE Ill inois 26. in Fig. Nicrophorus orb1co111s collection sites 36 OGLE ...1l LEE i ' i ! L A SALLE A,,.U ----l ,_H_E_N_,R-,T -r:-B U"'R"'E � OT GRUN KANKAKEE IROQUOIS • • ULTON =:-r7 -1__ ._Jf .--.:..HANCOCK McDOllOiJGH VERMILION • 1------i • • EDGAR JASPER • [tflNGHAM ___ ,.----_, CLAY 1 .__, MARION H,WILTOfl WHIT[ FRANKLIN >--W-ll-ll-AM_S _Qr_I -- 27. Nic rophorus tomentosus collection sites Illinois Fig. in �· r 1I i: 1 l l 37 ·; I �� ------r------·-- Jlll'lll N'_,\ ·N WllHH UAl..iJ hH: ,rp M�1:t �;1t1 IM-,L • KALB OGLE 0C KM4E COOK LEE KENDALL WI LL �·.....J'----i GRUNDY C.�ARK CUMBER LANO JASPER EFflNGHAM CLAY MARION WAYNE JEFFERSON WHITE HAMiLTON fRANXLIN SALINE l'illLIAMSON 28 . Nicronhorus americanu s collection in Illinois Fig . sites 38 If WtHUl UAl.O IJ\I' 1/U Mdll UH't lAl\I. OGLE DC KALB KANE LEE KENDALL Will �-''---i GRUNDY KANKAKEE IROQUOIS I 1 • • EDGAR JASPER CLAY EFFll·;HAM �----1 WAYNE HA�llfON WHITE FRANKLIN • SALINE �llllAMSON 29 . collection sites in Illinois Fig . Nicrophorus pustulatus . ' . n· l �. j �f ' rI � � I • 39 JI • DE KALB OGLE KANE GOOK LEE . Will ; _ __,.___-! KENDALL KANKAKEE ' • i IROQUOIS EOGAR CUMBERLAND JASPER EfflNGHAM CLAY .-----l HAMILTON WHITE FRANKLIN SALINE WILLIAMSON 30 . collection Fi g. Nic rophorus vespilloides sites in Illinois n l l 40 .lll'lil N:,uN V.IHfH llAl..O 11111 1111 Mdll mtY I A�.I. • KAl8 KANE OGLE DE COOK ., LEE i GRUNDY KANKAKEE IROOUOIS .. . . • • CLARK JASPER EFFINGHAM CLAY MARION WAl" NE JEFFERSON HAMILTON WHITE FRANKLIN• WiAMSON SALINE • 3 1. Nic rophorus collection Fig. marginatu s s i tes in Illinois \ I I j 41 l L�-1 • OE KAlB KAllE tOOK OGLE lEE GRUNDY KANKAKEE IROQUOIS ___ VERMILION 1-C-HAM_Pil_ IGll -I OE WIH EOGAR JASPER [HINGHAM CLAY �-----< 'j 32 . c o lle Fig. Nicrophoru s ob scurus ction s i tes in Illinois n . f i. l ' { f i f . I i � i j 42 r l f t '1' ,------r------r·---� ·�;111·111 � ,1•N 1W1NtH l1f\!,U hu' •li1 Md!I UH( [)[KALB OGLE KANE LEE Y. Ell OAll Will t-H E_N_R _Y �- --'---� i SALLE "'e ..,u R:c E:-'A �U----l LA '� GRUNOY KANKAKEE IROQUOIS ·.; VER�IUOK ... EOGAR 33 . site s Fig. Nicrouhorus inve stigator collection in Illinois 43 'f11htll \:A1.,l} �1t1• .:1i t.\,11! 1,1r( IM./ OGLE • KALD KAflE OC COOK ·' GRUNDY KANKAKEE IROQUOIS ·ji ;l VERMILION 1------1 EDGAR CLARK JASPER EHINGHAM CLAY MARION W'YNE HAMHON WHITE FRANKLIN SALINE WILLIAMSON Fig. 34 . Nicronhorus sayi collection sites in Illinois " I " n"1 I! l Ii . l 44 LITERA TURE CITED Abbott , C. E. 1927. Experimental data on the sense of C o l o t e ra r r c olfe toact ory N rop o ri eAnnp . En, twi . Stho c.spe cial 20ef: e 20en7-216. the ec h . Amer. n t t Jr. 1944 . r s o of the N a rti S1lph1n1 Ar e , R. H.c r o o baseAd uponevi thi ne female geenitalc ia . and NiEntph. S orini 52 : 1-25 . Journ . N. Y. c . 1963. The beetles the U.S. Cath olic of Ame rica Press, a ofi t on D.C. 1112 pp . University W sh ng , a ld 1934. The io m c of entom ophagou s Col op B uf , W. V. Swift Co.b , Incno ._,i s York . 220 pp . e ·tera. J.S. New Dillon , Dillon . 1961 . manual of E. s.beet andles Lawr ofenc e s.r North America. A Row , Peterson commonCo . Evanston , EaIllste. n88 4 and pp . Fabre , 1966 . The insect o l d of J. Henri Fabre (tJ.ran H.slat ion A. Teixeira delw·fatrtos ). Dodd , Co ., New York . 333 pp. Mead and Hatch , Melville H. 1 927. on the a io beetles of Minnes o ta . Univ . MinnSt. uAgrdies. Exp . c rr n Bull . 48 . 19 pp. Sta. , Tech . No . 1927. Studies on the Silphinae . Jour. Ent . Soc . 35: 331 -370 . N. Y. the Horn, G. H. fe18r80n . toSyno thepsis ge nerof athe Sio lphidaet r countr of ies . U.STr. ans . wi th Enret . Soce ce. 8: 219-322 . of he Am . Madge , 1958 . study of the e;enus inR. Am B.er i ca northA oftaxono Meximcoic. thesis, UniverNecs rouityhor us of Illinois . M. s. Mi lne , L. and Milne . 1944. Notes on the behavior of buJ.rying M. J. (Nicrophorus app. ) beetles o v n 1926. Les Grands Necrophage s du Gl obe . Ency . P rte i G. , 6: 1-270 . Ent . 45 C. , and 1969. A comparison of Ratclisifflpehids , B. fromR. J.c o ve Lureedtd ke . un covered carrion . Coleop . taken 23 : 103- 105. and Bull . Steele , B. 1927. Notes on th e of carrion F. Journ . Socfeed. 35ing: ha77-bits81 . beetles. N. Y. Ent . Shube ck, 1968 . Orientation of c arri n to carrion : randomP. P.or non-rand om? Journ . o beeSoctle. 76s : 253-265. N. Y. Ent . 1970. Silphidae attraction to carri on-baited air cans versu s carrion-baited ground cans . Coleop . 24: 66-70 . Bu ll .