Editing Silphidae (section)

==Relationships==

=== With humans===

Silphids are usually not considered a [[nuisance#Environmental nuisance|nuisance]] to humans. They help the environment by laying their eggs on [[Carrion|carcasses]] and the larvae break down the [[detritus]], which prevents accumulation of deceased organisms.

Carcasses are kept out of sight and foul odors are prevented when Nicrophorinae bury it under the ground. This will also reduce the surface area for flies to lay their eggs and decrease fly population.

Some Silphidae species inhabit human-occupied areas and become pests to farmers by using crops as an additional source of nutrients. In Europe, ''[[Aclypea opaca]]'' feeds on beets, while ''[[Necrophila americana]]'' feeds on pumpkins, spinach, and sugar beets.

===With other organisms===

Members from the family Silphidae are known to have mutualistic relationships with other organisms. Nicrophorinae have a mutual relationship with phoretic [[mite]]s. Mites from the genus ''[[Poecilochirus]]'' produce deutonymphs that crawl on Nicrophorinae and are transported to [[carrion]]. Once they arrive at the [[carrion]], deutonymphs leave the adult Nicrophorinae and proceed to feed on nearby fly eggs and immature [[larva]]e. Mites help Nicrophorinae reduce the number of competitors on [[carrion]]. With less competition, both species are able to reproduce successfully underground.<ref>{{cite journal | author = Grossman J.D. | author2 = Smith RJ | year = 2008 | title = Phoretic Mite Discrimination Among Male Burying Beetle (Nicrophorus Investigator) Hosts | journal = Annals of the Entomological Society of America | volume = 101 | issue = 1| pages = 266–271 | doi=10.1603/0013-8746(2008)101[266:pmdamb]2.0.co;2| doi-access = free }}</ref>

Silphidae are known for being hosts to juvenile [[nematode]]s. ''Nicrophorus vespilloides'' are closely associated with the [[nematode]] parasite. The parasites can be easily transmitted to other hosts during [[copulation (zoology)|copulation]].