As some of you know, I just became a mother again. Now do you forgive my absence? So, for this first post back since baby, I decided to do a quick post on an insect that is known for being an attentive parent.
The Burying Beetle is a member of the Silphidae, or carrion beetle, family. True to its name, the burying beetle buries small, dead vertebrates such as birds or mice to feed its larvae. As you can see from the picture, the ‘meal’ is quite large in comparison.
Photo credit: www.norfolkdailynews.com
During the burying process, the beetles cover the animal with antifungal and antibacterial oral and anal secretions to slow the decaying process and to help mask the smell that may bring in competition. After stripping away any fur or feathers and using them to make a crypt of sorts, all that’s left is the meat to await the arrival of the larvae. Although the new larvae are able to feed themselves, both mother and father will still take part in the feeding. Sometimes, many pairs of parents have been known to come together to help with the burying and making of the crypt and all will live communally.
Photo credit: spot.colorado.edu
As they say, it takes a village…
Wannabe Entomologist 