Surviving without food: A test of how long burying beetles (Coleoptera: Nicrophorus) can withstand starvation

Decomposers are very important organisms in the environment because of their role in recycling of organic matter. Burying beetles (Coleoptera: Nicrophorus) are decomposers that include the American burying beetle (Nicrophorus americanus). This species is on the endangered list and in the effort to conserve the species, population checks are routinely done. Pitfall traps are a commonly used method of trapping however, several factors can affect trapping efficiency including the hunger status of the beetles. In ground beetles, starved beetles are more likely to be caught however a similar study has not been conducted on detritivores including burying beetles. We conducted a laboratory trial using N. orbicollis where half of the individuals received ground beef every other day and the other half only received water.  We tested survival times and mass loss of the two groups at 24 ^oC.  Behavioral responses to food by both groups was also tested using a y-maze assay.  Upon completion of analysis our results should improve sampling design by providing data to standardize the length of trapping session.