At least eight species of burying beetle are thought to occur in Oklahoma, each with black and reddish orange markings and a tendency to bury dead rodents, birds, and other animals. A wild double take can reveal differences in size and patterning of these decomposers. 

Find tips for identifying Oklahoma’s look-alike species in our video series on YouTube.

Similarities: Burying beetles are black and orange scavengers that find and bury dead animals, typically small vertebrates. Unlike many other insects, these nocturnal beetles guard and care for their young. After emerging in the spring, a pair finds a suitable carcass and strips it of its fur or feathers as it buries the remains. The carcass is rolled into a ball and the adult’s secretions protect the food source from mold and bacteria. Eggs are laid in the burial chamber and begin hatching up to a week later. As the eggs hatch, the adults open the brood ball and the young may feed on the carcass independently or rely on regurgitated food from the parents. It may take 30-65 days for the young to emerge and fly from the underground chamber. 

Differences: While burying beetles are of similar shape and coloring, size and patterning can help with identification. The American burying beetle is the largest North American burying beetle, with a length of 1 – 1.8 inches. It has an orange pronotum, or raised shield-like plate, behind the head. All other North American burying beetles have a black pronotum. The margined burying beetle is smaller, measuring 0.6 – 0.9 inches in length, and has more extensive and connected orange markings on the forewings.   

If you see burying beetles while exploring Outdoor Oklahoma, consider sharing the sighting on free nature platforms like iNaturalist. Adding a photo to your observation can allow others to help confirm the identification.