Nicrophorus sayi Laporte 1840

Nicrophorus sayi Laporte, 1840

Necrophorus sayi Laporte, 1840: 2 (see Sikes et al. (2002) for synonymy).

Diagnosis. Nicrophorus sayi will key to couplet 12 in the key provided above, but it can be easily distinguished from both N. mexicanus and N. pustulatus by its strongly bowed hind tibiae, a character that would be unique among Texas Nicrophorus species.

Range. Newfoundland south to Georgia, west to Alberta and Oklahoma (Anderson & Peck 1985, Peck & Kaulbars 1987).

Texas distribution. This species has not been recorded from Texas; however, it is possible that it may eventually be found in the extreme northeastern portion of state. The localities closest to Texas known to us are in Logan County, Arkansas (ca. 100 km from the Texas border) and Latimer County, Oklahoma (ca. 90 km from the Texas border).

Biological notes. Anderson and Peck (1985) report that this species is often the first to become active in the spring, is found in both open and forested areas, and is nocturnal.