Nicrophorus orbicollis odor

[Kent McFarland]

I had one land on my hand at a black light the other night here at my house. It left a very pungent odor on my hand that smelled a bit like horse dung, but more powerful. It took a good scrubbing with hot water and soap to remove the smell completely. I was wondering if that is perhaps the pheromone that males emit to attract mates or was it residual smell from the last place it visited, a dead animal? Anyone know what their pheromone might smell like? I was also surprised by the mites on it. Learning more about this group from this encounter has been quite fascinating. Not sure why I ever studied birds as insects really rule!

Kent
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Kent McFarland
Vermont Center for Ecostudies
PO Box 420 • Norwich, VT 05055
802.649.1431
http://www.vtecostudies.org/