Burying Beetle Classification

Quiz Questions

• 1.
  Presence of orange on elytra?

  Image Source

  • A.
    Less than 20% orange? (Left Image)
  • B.
    More than 20% orange? (Right Images)
• 2.
  Yellow upper back "fur"?

  Image Source

  • A.
    Yes (Pictured Above) 
  • B.
    No 
• 3.
  Orange tip on antennae?

  Image Source

  • A.
    Yes (Pictured Above)
  • B.
    No 
• 4.
  Dense yellow "fur" on underside?

  Image Source

  • A.
    Yes (Pictured Above) 
  • B.
    No
• 5.
  4 separate orange spots that do not extend to side of elytra?

  Image Source

  • A.
    Yes (Pictured Above) 
  • B.
    No 

Quiz Outcomes

• 1.
  Nicrophorus pustulatus

  Image Source

  Mostly black antennae with 3 orange segments at the tips. Moderate size (15-20mm), although larger specimens have been found. Distinct-pattern on elytra with 4 small dots at back end and 2 dots on the sides.
• 2.
  Nicrophorus tomentosus

  Image Source

  Completely black antennae and distinctive dense yellow “fur” on the upper back. Small (12-18mm).
• 3.
  ​Nicrophorus hebes (Right) or Nicrophorus defodiens (Left)

  Image Source

  *Note that N. hebes orange marking on side extends to front of beetle* N. hebes - Completely black antenna. Dense, yellow underside “fur.” Moderately sized (13-22mm). MORE INFORMATION: http://ontarioburyingbeetle.weebly.com/n-hebes.htm... N. defodiens - Completely black antenna. Small at only 12-18mm long. As noted above, two characteristic patterns. MORE INFORMATION: http://ontarioburyingbeetle.weebly.com/n-defodiens...
• 4.
  Nicrophorus sayi

  Image Source

  Mostly black antennae with 3 orange segments at the tips. Moderate size (15-23mm). Distinct pattern of orange that spreads along the sides of the eltyra.
• 5.
  Nicrophorus orbicollis

  Image Source

  Black antennae with 3 orange segments at tips and 4 distinctive orange markings on black elytra. Moderately sized (15-22mm). Note the fine “fur” on the beetle underside and covering the elytra.
• 6.
  Nicrophorus marginatus

  Image Source

  Black antennae with 4 orange segments at ends. Dense, yellow underside “fur.” Unique elytra pattern resembling puzzle pieces. Moderate size (15-22mm). Black markings on elytra do not make any contact with the ridges on the sides of the elytra.