Competition for Reproductive Resources of Nicrophorus Beetles in New York Forests

John A. Pipino^1,*, Brandon M. Quinby¹, Elizabeth Bastiaans², Daniel S. Stich³, and Carmen M. Greenwood¹

¹Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Environmental Science, 114 Rockland Lane, State University of New York at Cobleskill, Cobleskill, NY 12043. ²Biology Department, 112 Janet R. Perna Science Building, State University of New York at Oneonta, Oneonta, NY 13820. *Corresponding author.

Northeastern Naturalist, Volume 32, Issue 4 (2025): 472–482

First published early online: 27 October 2025

Abstract
Small vertebrate carrion is a nutrient resource for many organisms. Although small vertebrate carrion can be abundant, it is spatially and temporally unpredictable, leading to competition among species that rely on it. Carrion competition in the northeastern US is greatest among vertebrate scavengers, carrion flies, and Nicrophorus species (burying beetles). This study sought to determine the fate of small vertebrate carrion in mixed deciduous forest in central New York between May and July 2022. Burying beetles buried 74% of carcasses (n = 180) available during the trials, indicating they are the dominant competitor for small vertebrate carrion. A logistic regression model based on this study predicts that increases in average daily air temperature affects carrion fate in favor of carrion flies.

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