Nicophorus americanus
The American burying beetle is a member of the carrion beetle family and like others in the group requires carrion for its larvae. This beetle is one of only a small group of beetles that shows parental care of its young. While this insect used to occur throughout the Eastern United States it is now only found in >10% of its natural range due to habitat loss and degradation. Even though it can no longer be found in Mississippi, the Mississippi Entomological Museum holds this specimen and others that record the historical presence of this insect in the state.