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80
BULLETIN OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA STATE MUSEUM
diapause in late summer before temperatures
become too cold to find carrion. This is
an adaptation to season length since only individuals
that have enough time to reach the
adult stage can successfully overwinter.
Peck and Kaulbars (1987) noted that
they have been taken on human and carnivore
dung and on rotting fruits as well as
on carrion. I and my students have taken
them in large numbers in Nebraska in pitfall
traps baited with rotting fish, beef liver, and
chicken hearts and gizzards. Adults have
been observed to feed on maggots (Clark
1895, Steele 1927).
Pronotum subquadrate, with lateral and
basal margins wide; anterior, transverse
impression distinct (Fig. 83). Metasternum
with sparse, light brown pubescence.
Metepim-eron glabrous. Elytra: Each
elytron with a small to medium, orange
spot on lateral edge at about middle and
two small to medium-sized spots near
apex; elytra lacking long, distinctive setae.
Epipleuron entirely black; epipleural ridge
extending anteriorly to near level of base of
scutellum (Fig. 91). Legs: Posterior tibia
straight. Anterior face of procoxa glabrous
on basal half.
Fig. 118. Nebraska distribution of Nicrophorus orbicollis, N. pustulatus, N. tomentosus.
Nicrophorus pustulatus Herschel
(Figs. 83, 91, 118-119)
Necrophorus pustulatus Herschel 1807: 271.
Necrophorus bicolon Newman 1838: 385.
Necrophorus tardus Mannerheim 1853: 170.
Necrophorus marginatus fasciatus Portevin
1924: 86.
Necrophorus marginatus unicolor Portevin
1924: 86.
Diagnosis. Length 14.0-22.2 mm. Head:
Club of antenna with basal segment black,
remaining three segments orange. Thorax:
Distribution. Nicrophorus pustulatus is
found from southern Canada east of the
Rocky Mountains and in the eastern half of
the United States from North Dakota to eastern
Texas (Anderson and Peck 1985, Peck and
Kaulbars 1987). This species is known from
the eastern two-thirds of Nebraska; collecting
records are lacking for the panhandle.
Locality Records (Fig. 118). 487 Nebraska
specimens examined or recorded. The
large number for Saunders County is the
result of an intensive pitfall survey during
the summer of 1995.