The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1878-08-23
Grave-Digging Beetles.

One OF the wonderful provisionsof na-
ture is the existence of certain beetles
with the function Of digging graves for
dead rats, moles, birds, and other small
creatures left upon the surface Of the
earth, and the effluvia from which mig 1t
be offensive and bsneful. Beetles Of this
kind are known as the Meoropso4ss
geTnadnicUs. About these remarkable
animal Mr.. Gle3itch, an entomOlogist,
has given Us several interesting and
curious particulars. Being desirOus 30
test TIE strength of the grave-diggsfs, he
PROVIDED 8 glass vessel half filled with
moist earth, intc which he put four
beetles with dead linnet. No alarm
was shown hy the captives. Apparently
intent on the one sole object Of their
existence, they began Immediately to in
spect the bird, and then commenced the
digging of hollow underneath it, remoV
ng the earth, and shoveling Il away on
each side. This was accomplished by
leaning strongly upon their collars bend
ing down their heads and working with
singleness of purpose. After lsbOring
for nearly two hours, one of the beetles
was driven away and not allowed to work
again. This, Mr.. Glediteh concluded.
was female, as it was smaller than the
others, which continued their labor, un~
til one by one they ceased, leaving only
one beetle at his work. Five hounmere
hard work were given by the remaining
beetle, which st last sank exhausted OF
the earth and rested from his task, and
finally, suddenly rousing himself stiff
ened his DOLLAR, and by an extraordinary
effort of strength lifted up the bind and
arranged it within the spacious grave.
In three days the grave was finished, and
the bird safely deposited within " ee.rl
row limits.
During space of fifty deys these busy
workers inferred the bodss of four frogs,
three small birds, two ~grssshopPers, and
one moJr. This singular occupation,
which continues from the middle Of
Ap1l until the end of October, proceeds
rom In instructive desire for the pre-
ervstion of their offspring. Eggs de-
,osited by the parent in the substances
which they inter, when Matched, produce
arves, which, feeding on the carrion
7hich surrounds them, grow to an inch |
q length. These in their turn change
nto yellow chTysalids, and lastly into
eetles and the latter, when emerged
rom the earth. begin to dig graves and
nter dead animals for the benefit of an.
ther generation.
In September, 1877, the writer had
an opportunity of making
he acquaintance of these curious insects.
'wo of the grave-diggiDg beetles made
heir appearance in one of two under
round kitchens. in the window ofwhich
TODD a very large pot filed with
Mould prepared for the reception Of
liant cuttings. To this pot the insects /
lade their way, and at once began cast
1g up the earth. On being observed,
hey we're provided with dead mouse,
nd set to work exactly in the manner
escribed by Mr.. Gleditch; but as soon
5 they became tired and rested
rom their labor, they were carried
nto the adjoining kitchen and placed
lose to the fireplace. The follow
ny morning discovered them again
t work, having travelled to their former
uarters during the night and again
hey labored perseveringly till the body
f the mouse gradually disappeared.
1t the end of the second day, it was
eatly covered in, and the insects were
urned out of their home and again
,laced in the back kitchen. Meanwhile
he body of the mouse was remoysd
,ut on the following morning the beetles
lad returned to their hOwer-pOt, and
we're again burrowiDg in search of the
lead mouse, throwing out nearly the
Whole of the mould in their untiring
Efforts. Finally, as a reward for their
and perseverance,, they we're
transferred to the garden and placed
lose to the dead mouse, which they at
,nce began to bury afresh.