08/03/2026
😳 Now what is after our bees!?!? 😱
While inspecting some hives last week, I noticed some movement at the front entrance of a hive. At first I thought something was after our bees. Come to find out they are natures recyclers!
Say hello to the, American Carrion Beetle 🪲
The American carrion beetle (Necrophila americana) is a North American beetle known for decomposing dead animals, fungi, and rotting fruit, playing a vital role in nutrient cycling. Adults are black with a distinctive yellow shield-like marking on their thorax, and they help control fly populations by eating their larvae. They are important in forensic entomology for estimating time of death and are sometimes called "burying beetles" for their habit of burying carcasses to protect their eggs.
Also worth noting, they are not a danger to humans. They do not bite or sting, are non-toxic, and do not damage living plants, crops, or homes. They are just cleaning up the dead bees that were likely carried out from the hive after expiring. 🐝 🤓