carrion/sexton/burying beetle

carrion/sexton/burying beetle

5834   Hi – found the attached insect in back yard (Head Chezzetcook, NS) covered in tiny insects, maybe aphids.  Thought it was a wasp because of the yellow and black on the body which was hard to see, but now thinking might me some kind of beetle.  Hoping you can identify both insects.  Thanks,  Sherri

This is a carrion/sexton/burying beetle (Coleoptera: Silphidae) in the genus Nicrophorus that is absolutely covered with phoretic mites that are using the beetle as transportation to get to their next meal source. See No. 5821 for a similar example. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.