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70
BULLETIN OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA STATE MUSEUM
crescent-shaped, sparsely setose or nearly
glabrous area immediately behind margin
of each mesocoxa. Metepimeron glabrous.
Elytra: Each elytron with 2 broad, complete,
transverse, orange bands. Humerus
covered by field of short, stout setae that
extend posteriorly to base of epipleural ridge
(Figs. 85, 92). Epipleuron orange (Fig. 85).
Legs: Anterior face of procoxa with sparse,
minute setae on basal half. Posterior tibia
straight. Posterior edge of metatrochanter
with acute tooth projecting perpendicular
from trochanter (Fig. 96).
Distribution. Nicrophorus hybridus ranges
from the southern part of western Canada
southward through the north-central United
States to northern Arizona and New Mexico
(Anderson and Peck 1985, Peck and Kaulbars
1987). In Nebraska, this species is known
from the northern portion of the state only
but may also occur in the panhandle.
Locality Records (Fig. 109). 3 Nebraska
specimens examined.
CUMING CO. (2): West Point; SIOUX CO.
(1): Warbonnet Canyon.
Temporal Distribution. Rangewide: June
to September (Peck and Kaulbars 1987).
Nebraska: No data.
Remarks. Nicrophorus hybridus is best identified
by the combination of key characters,
especially when trying to separate it from N.
investigator. Nicrophorus hybridus is distinctive
because of its broad elytral maculations,
crescent-shaped region immediately behind
each mesocoxa that is glabrous or sparsely
setose, and stout humeral setae that extend
to the base of the epipleural ridge. Both the
males and females have small eyes. The posterior
edge of the metatrochanter in the males
has an acute tooth that projects perpendicular
to the plane of the trochanter (Fig. 96). Contrast
this with Fig. 97 for N. investigator.
The larval stage was described by Anderson
(1982), and a diagnosis was given by
Anderson and Peck (1985).
Little is known of the biology of this
species. Peck and Kaulbars (1987) characterized
their habitat as prairie, sage steppe, and
montane meadow. Adults are probably diurnal
and are reproductively active during the
summer (Anderson and Peck 1985). Overwintering
occurs in the prepupal stage.
Nicrophorus investigator Zetterstedt
(Figs. 17, 79, 86, 93, 97, 99, 101, 107, 110)
Necrophorus investigator Zetterstedt 1824: 154.
Necrophorus maritimus Guérin-Méneville
1835: Pl. 17, Fig. 8.
Necrophorus melsheimeri Kirby 1837: 97.
Necrophorus particeps Fischer von Waldheim
1844: 139.
Necrophorus aleuticus Gistel 1848: 190.
Necrophorus pollinctor Mannerheim 1853: 169.
Necrophorus infodiens Mannerheim 1853: 170.
Necrophorus confossor LeConte 1854: 20.
Diagnosis. Length 13.2-18.0 mm. Head:
Club of antenna with basal segment black,
remaining segments orange. Male with small
eyes, post-ocular bulge subequal to length
of eye. Female with large eyes, post-ocular
bulge less than half length of eye (Fig. 99).
Thorax: Pronotum subquadrate, with lateral
and basal margins wide; anterior, transverse
depression deep (Fig. 79). Metasternum with
dense yellow pubescence, including area just
posterior of each mesocoxa. Metepimeron glabrous.
Elytra: Pattern variable; each elytron
with two broad, transverse, orange bands; or
anterior band reduced to one, two, or three
spots. Epipleuron orange (Fig. 86). Legs:
Anterior face of procoxa with minute setae on
basal half. Posterior tibia straight. Posterior
edge of metatrochanter of males with acute
tooth recurving dorsally (Fig. 97).
Distribution. Nicrophorus investigator is
widely distributed throughout Canada and
Alaska and along the Rocky Mountains to
New Mexico and Arizona. It is occasionally
found in the northeastern United States. It
is also broadly distributed in Europe and
Asia (Anderson and Peck 1985, Peck and