At a glance
- IUCN category
- CR · Critically Endangered
- Animal group
- Invertebrates
- Population trend
- Decreasing
- Last verified
Conservation overview
The American burying beetle is a large, striking carrion beetle that buries small animal carcasses to feed its young. It is assessed (regionally) as Critically Endangered and has vanished from most of its former range.
Both parents care for the larvae on the buried carcass — unusual among insects.
Range & habitat
Scattered sites in North America, much reduced from its former range.
Major threats
Threats below are drawn from the authoritative sources listed on this page. For the current, complete assessment, see the IUCN Red List.
- Habitat loss and fragmentation
- Loss of suitable carcasses for breeding
- Light pollution and other pressures
Why it matters
A once-widespread recycler of carrion that now survives in scattered pockets, the American burying beetle is a reminder that even common insects can collapse across a continent.
Sources
Sources for American Burying Beetle
- IUCN Red List — look up American Burying Beetle (authoritative status)
- U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the American burying beetle do with carcasses?
A pair locates a small carcass, buries it, and raises their larvae on it, with both parents feeding the young — a rare level of parental care for an insect.
Why has the American burying beetle declined?
Published assessments cite habitat loss and fragmentation, fewer suitable carcasses, and other pressures such as light pollution, which have erased it from most of its former range. See the IUCN Red List.
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