Insects Active at night

Pustulated Carrion Beetle

Nicrophorus pustulatus

iNaturalist Wikipedia

A striking nocturnal 'gravedigger' with a hidden life, the Pustulated Carrion Beetle is famous for its bright orange spots and its unique role as a specialist hunter of snake eggs.

0 Sightings

0 Habitats

Quick Identification

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Size

12–25 mm (0.5–1.0 inches) in length

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Colors

Shiny jet-black body with four prominent orange-to-reddish scalloped spots (pustules) on the wing covers (elytra); antennae have orange-tipped clubs

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Key Features

Four distinct orange-red spots on shiny black wing covers
Large, orange-tipped clubbed antennae
Broad, flat black pronotum (thorax)
Thick, powerful legs built for digging

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern Active at night

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Peak hours 9 PM - 3 AM

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Season May-August

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Diet Adults are scavengers that eat carrion and fly larvae; larvae are specialized parasitoids that feed on the embryos within snake eggs.

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Habitat Deciduous forests, woodland edges, and suburban areas near healthy reptile populations.

public Geographic range

Where Does the Pustulated Carrion Beetle Live?

This beetle is native to North America, spanning a vast territory across the eastern and central regions. Its range begins in southern Canada, particularly Ontario and Quebec, and stretches down through the eastern United States to the Gulf Coast, reaching as far west as the edge of the Great Plains in states like Nebraska and Texas. Because they rely on specific snake nesting habitats, they are most abundant in moist, wooded environments where their hosts are frequently found.

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2 Countries

6.5M km² Range

Least Concern Conservation

US United States

Marginal

CA Canada

Marginal

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iNaturalist / Verified observation data

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Behavior

The Pustulated Carrion Beetle is a remarkable member of the 'burying beetle' family, known for its high level of parental care which is rare among insects. While most burying beetles utilize small mammal or bird carcasses, this species has evolved a specialized niche. It is a known parasitoid of snake eggs, specifically seeking out the communal nests of snakes like the Black Rat Snake. Once they locate a clutch of eggs, the adults will often stay to protect their own larvae as they consume the developing snake embryos.

These beetles are primarily nocturnal and are exceptionally strong fliers. They use sensitive chemical receptors in their antennae to detect the scent of decomposition or specific host nesting sites from miles away. When not breeding, they act as nature's clean-up crew, feeding on carrion and the larvae of competing flies. They are often seen by humans because they are strongly attracted to artificial lights at night.

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Camera Tips

To capture the Pustulated Carrion Beetle on camera, you need to focus on their nocturnal habits and incredible sense of smell. Place your camera very low to the ground—no more than 6 inches high—and angle it toward a flat area of soil or leaf litter. Using a 'bait station' is the most effective method; place a small amount of pungent protein, like wet cat food or a scrap of raw chicken, inside a small mesh cage or perforated container. This keeps the beetle in the frame without allowing it to quickly drag the food away or bury it out of sight.

Since these beetles are jet-black and highly reflective, infrared (IR) flashes on trail cameras can sometimes cause 'white-out' or overexposure on the beetle's body. If your camera has adjustable flash settings, set it to 'Low' or use a 'No-Glow' model to preserve the detail of the orange wing spots. If your camera has a macro mode or a close-focus lens, this is the time to use it, as these beetles are relatively small subjects.

The best time to set your camera is during warm, humid summer nights when the air is still, as this is when their scent-tracking is most effective. Look for locations near rotting logs or stone walls where snakes might nest. You can also take advantage of their attraction to light by placing a camera near a porch light or a white sheet illuminated by a UV lamp (a common moth-trapping technique), which often brings these beetles right to you.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Pustulated Carrion Beetle.

American Burying Beetle

Much larger and features a bright orange-red circular mark on the pronotum (the area behind the head), which N. pustulatus lacks.

Common Sexton Beetle

Has orange markings that are more band-like rather than the four distinct, rounded 'pustule' spots found on N. pustulatus.

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Frequently Asked Questions

These beetles are strictly nocturnal. They are most active during the middle of the night, typically between 9 PM and 3 AM, when they fly in search of food or nesting sites.

You can attract them by leaving a small amount of protein-based bait (like fish or chicken) in a shaded area at night. They are also frequently attracted to bright porch lights or UV 'black lights' used for moth spotting.

Adults eat carrion and small invertebrates like fly maggots. However, their larvae are specialized 'parasitoids' that feed exclusively on the eggs of snakes, such as rat snakes and fox snakes.

Yes, they are quite common in suburban areas that have plenty of trees and healthy reptile populations. They are often found in gardens and backyards that border woods.

The Pustulated Carrion Beetle has a solid black pronotum (the shield behind the head), whereas the endangered American Burying Beetle has a large, bright orange-red spot on its pronotum.

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