Nicrophorus investigator, commonly known as the burying beetle, is a species of insect belonging to the family Silphidae. These beetles are known for their unique behavior of burying small vertebrate carcasses, such as birds or rodents, as a food source for their larvae. They have a black or dark brown body with orange markings and are typically around 1 to 1.5 centimeters in length. Burying beetles play an important role in ecosystem decomposition and nutrient recycling.