Traits: Large, round-bodied insect with thickened front wings; black with red, orange, or yellow markings; clubbed antennae

Habitat: Soil and litter of forests and other habitats

Foods: Dead animals and other insects, such as fly larvae, that feed on dead animals; the adult female lays her eggs and buries them with a dead animal.

Eaten by: Thrushes, shrews, mice, voles

Do You Know? All carrion beetles have mites riding on their backs. These mites get a free ride to new food sources, but do not harm the beetles. This is an example of commensalism.