Coleoptera13 species

Family Rove Beetles (Silphidae)

Silphidae is a family in the order Coleoptera. Browse 13 named species recorded in this family, or open an individual profile for its available identification and natural-history information.

Species in Silphidae (13)

Black Sexton Beetle

Nicrophorus humator

There are several Sexton beetles in the UK but this is the only all black species (apart from the orange tips to its antennae) and it is large (20-30 mm). As they fly long distances to feed on carrion they can be seen a wide variety of habitats were

Nicrophorus interruptus

Up to 20mm. Robust and shiny black with two broken orange bands across the abdomen. Antennae are black with orange clubs. All the abdominal segments are fringed with yellow hairs. The hind tibia are straight . Nicrophorus vespillo is similar but with

Nicrophorus investigator

This Sexton, at 26 mm, is somewhat larger than the Common Sexton Beetle ( N. Vespilloides ). This species has dark reddish tips to its antennae. Other identifying features include the absence of hairs on the thorax and straight tibias on the hind leg

Nicrophorus vespillo

12 to 22 mm. This species is identified by the combination of orange antennal clubs, an interrupted anterior red elytral band, the hind tibia being concave on the inside edge and the presence of golden hairs on the fore margin of the pronotum. Usuall

Common Sexton Beetle

Nicrophorus vespilloides

This is a very distinctive and brightly coloured beetle, with black and orange patterning on the elytra. The wing cases are squarish and shorter than the abomen. This beetle is commonly seen at light in gardens, often in company with a related, all b

Oiceoptoma thoracicum

Sometimes known as the Red-breasted Carrion Beetle, this is a two coloured species and distinctive in appearance. Found on or under the carcasses of birds and small mammals, often in woodland habitats. Curiously enough this species does not eat the m

Thanatophilus sinuatus

A greyish beetle measuring 10 to 14 mm. It has longitudinal ridges along the elytra and the pronotum has a rather mottled appearance. Thanatophilus sinuatus is a carrion feeder and may be encountered anywhere that carrion is present. Found on carrion