Burying beetles (Silphidae: Nicrophorus) are one of only a handful of insect taxa exhibiting biparental care. Males and females independently search for small vertebrate carcasses that serve as a food source for the developing young. A male successful at locating a carcass emits a sex pheromone that serves to attract a sexually receptive female. The male and female cooperate in burying the carcass, and actively defend it against conspecific intruders and members of other Nicrophorus species. Adults of either sex also make competent single parents that feed the larvae up until the larvae have consumed the carcass and left the brood chamber.

Eggert, A.-K. and S.K. Sakaluk. 1995. Female-coerced monogamy in burying beetles. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 37: 147-153.

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