Red-Lined Carrion Beetle (Necrodes surimanensis)

Detailing the physical features, habits, territorial reach and other identifying qualities of the Red-Lined Carrion Beetle.

Updated: 8/4/2017; Authored By Staff Writer; Content ©www.InsectIdentification.org

Red-Lined Carrion Beetle

Seeing a Red-Lined Carrion Beetle suggests a rotting bird or mammal is nearby and hosting the beetle's preferred food item: fly larvae.

The Red-Lined Carrion Beetle can be found feasting on the maggots that cover rotting carcasses. Like the decaying creature the fly larvae feed on, the Red-Lined Carrion Beetle has a foul odor. They are attracted to lights at night and may congregate on porches because of them. They are active from spring through most of autumn. Adults survive winter by going underground or taking shelter to avoid the cold and frost.

Basic Information

Common Name: Red-Lined Carrion Beetle

Scientific Name: Necrodes surimanensis

Category: Beetle

General Identification

Size (Adult; Length): 12mm to 25mm (0.47in to 0.98in)

Identifying Colors: black, orange, red

Additional Descriptors: stripe, line, flat, flying, group, helpful

Taxonomic Hierarchy

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Arthropoda

Class: Insecta

Order: Coleoptera

Family: Silphidae

Genus: Necrodes

Species: surimanensis

Beetle Anatomy

Graphic showing basic anatomy of a common North American Beetle insect

1

Antennae: Beetles have a pair of antennae on the head used as sensors.

2

Head: The head is home to the insect's eyes, antennae, and mandibles (jaws).

3

Thorax: Holds the three pairs of legs as well as vital internal organs.

4

Elytron: One of two wing cases on a Beetle that protects its wings (plural: elytra).

5

Wings: Appendages used for flying and kept under the elytra until needed.

6

Abdomen: Houses organs related to circulation, reproduction, and excretion.

7

Legs: Beetles have three pairs of legs located at the thorax, numbering six legs in all.

Territorial Reach (A-to-Z)

Note: An insect's reach is not limited by lines drawn on a map and therefore species may appear in areas, regions and/or states beyond those listed below as they are driven by environmental factors (such as climate change), available food supplies and mating patterns. Grayed-out selections below indicate that the subject in question has not been reported in that particular territory. U.S. states and Canadian provinces / territories are clickable to their respective bug listings.

Newfoundland and Labrador

Mexico

Territorial Area Map (Visual Reference Guide)

The map below showcases (in red) the states and territories of North America where the Red-Lined Carrion Beetle may be found (but is not limited to). This sort of data can be useful in seeing concentrations of a particular species over the continent as well as revealing possible migratory patterns over a species' given lifespan. Some species are naturally confined by environment, weather, mating habits, food resources and the like while others see widespread expansion across most, or all, of North America.

Alaska

Hawaii

Prince Edward Is.

Canadian territory of New Brunswick graphic

Canadian territory of Newfoundland and Labrador graphic

Canadian territory of Saskatchewan graphic

Territory map graphic of the country of Mexico

Contiguous United States shape map layer graphic

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