Bury Beetle - Ask Extension
While emptying a chipmunk trap, I noticed a large red-and-black beetle that I did not recognize. After removing the carcass (and the beetle) from the ...
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Bury Beetle #887175
Asked October 04, 2024, 4:39 PM EDT
While emptying a chipmunk trap, I noticed a large red-and-black beetle that I did not recognize. After removing the carcass (and the beetle) from the trap, the beetle flew away making a very loud wasp-like noise. Quick online research suggests that this is a burying beetle (N. americanus) but that these are unlikely in Minnesota. Is this sighting of any research significance? If so, who might best be contacted regarding this?
Cass County Minnesota
Expert Response
Hi Matthew,
Cool find! These are seen in Minnesota. See here:
https://entomology.umn.edu/burying-beetles
Thanks for an interesting question!