Status: Endangered (54 FR 29652; July 13, 1989). Critical habitat has not been designated. The Final Recovery Plan was signed on September 27, 1991 (Link to Final Recovery Plan, 7 MB)

Description: The American burying beetle is the largest species of its genus in North America, measuring 0.98-1.4 inches in length. It was formerly known as the giant carrion beetle. The body of the American burying beetle is shiny black and has hardened protective wing covers (elytra) that meet in a straight line down the back. The elytra are smooth, shiny black, and each elytron has two scalloped shaped orange-red markings. The pronotum, or shield over the mid-section between the head and wings, is circular in shape with flattened margins and a raised central portion. The most diagnostic feature of the American burying beetle is the large orange-red marking on the raised portion of the pronotum, a feature shared with no other members of the genus in North America. The American burying beetle also has orange-red frons (a mustache-like feature) and a single orange-red marking on the top of the head (triangular in females and rectangular in males). Antennae are large, with notable orange clubs at the tips.

Life History: The American burying beetle is nocturnal (active at night), lives for only one year, and typically reproduces only once. During the winter months when temperatures are below 60°F (15°C ) American burying beetles bury themselves in the soil to overwinter. When temperatures are above 60°F (15°C ) they emerge from the soil and begin the mating and reproduction process. American burying beetles are scavengers, dependent on carrion for food and reproduction. They play an important role in breaking down decaying matter and recycling it back into the ecosystem. Reproduction involves burying a small vertebrate carcass (1-9 ounces; 35-250 grams), laying eggs on the carcass, and then larvae feeding on the carcass until mature. The American burying beetle is unusual in that both parents provide care to their young. American burying beetles must compete with other invertebrate species, as well as vertebrate species, for carrion. Even though American burying beetles are considered feeding habitat generalists, they have still disappeared from over 90% of their historic range. Habitat loss, alteration, and degradation have been attributed to the decline of the American burying beetle.

Habitat: Habitat requirements for American burying beetles, particularly reproductive habitat requirements, are not fully understood at this time. The American burying beetle has been found in various types of habitat including oak-pine woodlands, open fields, oak-hickory forest, open grasslands, and edge habitat. Research indicates that American burying beetles are feeding habitat generalists. Data is lacking pertaining to American burying beetle reproductive habitat requirements, but species experts assume that they are more restrictive in selecting their reproductive habitat than feeding habitat.

Distribution: The historical distribution of the American burying beetle included the eastern half of North America from southern Ontario, Canada and the northern peninsula of Michigan to the southern Atlantic coastal plain. This range included the eastern half of Oklahoma. At the time of listing there were only 3 known areas of occurrence. Two of these were in Oklahoma and one was in Rhode Island. The current distribution encompasses 8 states, including Rhode Island, Massachusetts, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Arkansas, Texas, and Oklahoma.

In Oklahoma the beetle is currently known to occur in over 20 counties (see map at right; click image for larger map). There are also 2 counties that have unconfirmed sightings in Oklahoma. An unconfirmed sighting is defined as a likely sighting although not confirmed by an entomologist or a Service biologist. In addition, there are 9 counties that are considered likely to support American burying beetles due to their proximity to counties with current American burying beetle occurrences and the presence of suitable habitat. However, no current surveys have been conducted in these counties. The State of Ohio has reintroduced American burying beetles over a 3 year period. To date the status of this reintroduced population is poor. Additional research is needed to properly understand the requirements of the American burying beetle and achieve successful reintroduction efforts.

Causes of Decline: The cause for the decline of this species is not clearly understood. Declines could be a result of habitat fragmentation, habitat loss, carcass limitation, pesticides, disease, light pollution, or a combination of these factors. Species experts believe the primary cause of decline habitat loss and fragmentation.

Recovery Needs: The highest priority recovery tasks as identified by the Recovery Plan include: 1) protecting and monitoring extant population; 2) maintaining captive populations; 3) continuing the Penikese Island reintroduction attempt; 4) conducting ecological studies; and 5) conducting field surveys for additional populations.

Other information: Ongoing projects in Oklahoma include a study of the habitat, soil, and weather preferences of the American burying beetle. In addition, surveys are being conducted to locate additional populations and monitor known populations. The populations on Block Island, RI; Camp Gruber, OK; and Fort Chaffee, AR, are being monitored annually. Genetic comparison research between the Oklahoma populations with the Block Island population has been conducted and has revealed no significant genetic differences between populations.

   Additional Documents and Information:

Section 7 Consultations

• Project Evaluation Form for the American Burying Beetle (PDF Document, 26 KB): This form is to be completed and submitted with projects that are within the American burying beetle Range (as depicted in the map above) and that are required to comply with Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act.
• Biological Opinions
• NULL AND VOID - Programmatic Biological Opinion on the American Burying Beetle for the Environmental Protection Agency. Due to the Energy Policy Act of 2005, this Programmatic Biological Opinion is null and void. The Energy Policy Act modified the Clean Water Act’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) regulations. These modifications exempted certain oil and gas field activities from storm water discharge permit requirements. For a complete description of the modified regulations, refer to the Federal Register, Vol. 71, No. 112 / Monday, June 12, 2006, pages 33628-33460. This document is available HERE

• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (2005) American Burying Beetle Nicrophorus americanus Survey Guidance In Oklahoma (PDF, 214 KB); this is the Service's recommended survey protocol
• Appendices and Figures
• Appendix 1. Carrion Types Tested and Found Effective at Attracting American burying beetles
• Appendix 2. Description of Nicrophorus Species in Oklahoma
• Appendix 3. Identification Key to Nicrophorus Species in Oklahoma
• Appendix 4. American burying beetle Survey Data Form
• Appendix 5. American burying beetle Survey Summary Report (Electronic Copy)
• Appendix 6. American burying beetle Survey Summary Report (Hard Copy)
• Appendix 7. Descriptions of American burying beetle Survey Summary Report Fields and Titles
• Figure 1. American burying beetle Survey Transect
• Figure 2. American burying beetle Baited Bucket Pitfall Trap with Cover
• Figure 3. American burying beetle Baited Cup Pitfall Survey Trap
• Figure 4. Baited Bucket Pitfall Trap with Wire Mesh
• Figure 5. Identification of American burying beetle Physical Characteristics
• Figure 6. Identification of American burying beetle Gender

• American Burying Beetle Service Permittees (PDF): This is a comprehensive list of Section 10 Permitted Biologists, located in Oklahoma and surrounding states, approved by the Service to conduct American burying beetle surveys.
• American Burying Beetle Service Permit Requirements (PDF): This is a description of the required qualifications for obtaining a Section 10 Recovery Permit. General permit information is available HERE. The permit application form for a Section 10 Recovery Permit is available HERE .
• American Burying Beetle Accidental Death Form (PDF): This form is to be filled out by a Section 10 Permitted Biologist when an American burying beetle is accidentally killed.
• American Burying Beetle Accidental Death Summary Report (MS Excel Spreadsheet): This form is to be completed annually by a Section 10 Permitted Biologist for all American burying beetles accidentally killed. This report must be submitted by October 31 of each year.

Baiting Away

• American Burying Beetle Baiting Away Protocol (PDF, 132 KB)
• Reporting Form for American Burying Beetle Baiting Away Protocol (MS Excel Document)

• American Burying Beetle Trapping and Relocating Protocol (PDF, 137 KB)
• Reporting Form for American Burying Beetle Trapping and Relocating Protocol (MS Excel Document)

Databases

• Surveys
• Database of presence/absence surveys conducted in Oklahoma for the American burying beetle (Excel Spreadsheet). Every attempt is made by the Service to update this on a regular basis. Last updated on 10-19-09.
• Heading and Field Codes for survey database (Excel Spreadsheet, 43 KB)


• Trapping and Relocation (coming soon!)
• Trap and Relocation Activity Database of the American Burying Beetle in Oklahoma


• Baiting Away (coming soon!)
• Bait Away Activity database for the American Burying Beetle in Oklahoma

• Historical and Current Range of the American Burying Beetle in the United States (JPG Image, 300 KB)
• Current Range of the American Burying Beetle in the Eastern United States (JPG Image, 122 KB)
• Current Range of the American Burying Beetle in the Central United States (JPG Image, 398 KB)
• Current Range of the American Burying Beetle in Oklahoma (JPG Image, 396 KB)