The Silpha americana is a large, robust carrion beetle with an orange-yellow head and a dark, ridged pronotum and elytra. It and its relatives are common at carcasses and under decaying organic matter where they feed on flesh, fly larvae, and decomposing plant material. They play a vital ecological role in nutrient recycling.
Habitat
Forests, meadows, and disturbed areas
Diet
Adults: carrion, snails, and decaying plant matter
How common
Common
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