Classification
Scientific name:
Necrophila americana,
however the scientific name was recently changed from
Silpha americana.
Common name: American Carrion Beetle
The
common name was given to this beetle because it lives in most of
Central and North America and also carrion means dead or putrefying
flesh, which is the primary food source of this beetle.
Doman: Eukarya
The
organisms that are classified as Eukaryotes have a nucleus which
separates them from prokaryotes.
Kingdom: Animalia
Organisms that are classified as Animalia are multicellular,
heterotrophic, and most are motile.
Phylum: Arthropoda
Organisms that are classified as Arthropods have segmented bodies,
segmented appendages, and an exoskeleton.
Class: Insecta
Organisms classified as Insects also have compound eyes, and
a pair of antenna.
Order: Coleoptera
Organisms classified in the order Coleoptera are distinguished by a
hard exoskeleton and hard forewings.
Family: Silphidae
Organisms classified into the family Silphidae feed on
decaying organic matter.
Genus: Necrophila
Organisms classified into the genus Necrophila feed on dead
and decaying animals.
Species: Necrophila Americana
The
scientific name can be broken down into three main parts. The first
being Necro- which means "dead body" in Latin. The second being -phila
which means "loving" in Latin. The two parts that make up the genus
of this species are referring to the primary food source of the
American carrion beetle. Lastly, the specific epithet americana
refers to the home of this organism: America.