^ total of 2,397 individuals representing 8 species of carrion beetles (Silphidae)
and 2,336 individuals representing 4 species of “carrion beetles” from 4 other families were
collected on carrion in the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge during June, July and August
in 1980 and during April and May in 1981. Beetles were trapped in 3 habitats— forest, field,
and marsh. Of the 8 silphid species, 5 manifested a strong preference for a given habitat. These
species were Oiceoptoma noveboracense (forest), Necrophila americana (field), Nicrophorus
orbicollis (forest), Nicrophorus pustulatus (forest), and Necrodes surinamensis (forest). Two
silphid species manifested a slight preference for a given habitat: Oiceoptoma inaequale (field),
and Nicrophorus tomentosus (field). One species, Nicrophorus marginatus, manifested a probable
preference for the field. Insofar as other “carrion beetles” are concerned, 1 species, Onthophagus
hecate (Scarabaeidae) showed a strong preference for the field. Three species manifested slight
preferences for given habitats: Omosita colon (Nitidulidae) and Dermestes caninus (Dermestidae)
for the forest, and Euspilotus assimilis (Histeridae) for the field.