Black Sexton Beetle Nicrophorus humator

This is the sexton beetle that I catch in my moth trap most frequently.

Black Sexton Beetle Nicrophorus humator, North Elmham (Norfolk, UK), 15th May 2019

As their vernacular name suggests, Black Sexton Beetles are normally black (except for the orange club to their antennae). Indeed neither Duff nor Hackston make any provision for brown ones in their keys. However I'm sure this must be this species, and I have found a couple of other similar individuals online. I wondered if this might be teneral but I kept hold of the beetle so I could double-check it really was this species and it had not begun to darken up at all by the time it died, so I wonder if it might simply be an unusual colour variant?

Black Sexton Beetle Nicrophorus humator, North Elmham (Norfolk, UK), 31st July 2024

Black Sexton Beetle Nicrophorus humator, North Elmham (Norfolk, UK), 15th October 2018

Black Sexton Beetle Nicrophorus humator, North Elmham (Norfolk, UK), 15th May 2021

Black Sexton Beetle Nicrophorus humator, North Elmham (Norfolk, UK), 29th March 2017

Black Sexton Beetle Nicrophorus humator, North Elmham (Norfolk, UK), 21st April 2016

Black Sexton Beetle Nicrophorus humator, North Elmham (Norfolk, UK), 27th March 2018

Black Sexton Beetle Nicrophorus humator, North Elmham (Norfolk, UK), 28th March 2015

Black Sexton Beetle Nicrophorus humator, North Elmham (Norfolk, UK), 11th July 2018

Black Sexton Beetle Nicrophorus humator, North Elmham (Norfolk, UK), 11th October 2018

Black Sexton Beetle Nicrophorus humator, Cranberry Rough (Norfolk, UK), 1st May 2016

Black Sexton Beetle Nicrophorus humator, North Elmham Cathedral Meadows (Norfolk, UK), 22nd April 2019

Black Sexton Beetle Nicrophorus humator, Wendling Beck Environment Project (Norfolk, UK), 1st September 2021

Black Sexton Beetle Nicrophorus humator, Tresidder (Cornwall, UK), 6th October 2020

Black Sexton Beetle Nicrophorus humator, Weston Park (Norfolk, UK), 25th June 2011

Black Sexton Beetle Nicrophorus humator, North Elmham (Norfolk, UK), 10th April 2015

Black Sexton Beetle Nicrophorus humator, Wendling Beck Environment Project (Norfolk, UK), 1st May 2022

Black Sexton Beetle Nicrophorus humator, Felbrigg (Norfolk, UK), 30th March 2012

Black Sexton Beetle Nicrophorus humator, North Elmham (Norfolk, UK), 1st May 2016

Black Sexton Beetle Nicrophorus humator, North Elmham (Norfolk, UK), 11th April 2020

Black Sexton Beetle Nicrophorus humator, North Elmham (Norfolk, UK), 11th April 2022

Black Sexton Beetle Nicrophorus humator, North Elmham (Norfolk, UK), 28th March 2021

Black Sexton Beetle Nicrophorus humator, North Elmham (Norfolk, UK), 5th April 2020

Black Sexton Beetle Nicrophorus humator, Bawdeswell (Norfolk, UK), 15th August 2008

Black Sexton Beetle Nicrophorus humator, Bawdeswell (Norfolk, UK), 24th August 2012

Black Sexton Beetle Nicrophorus humator, Bawdeswell (Norfolk, UK), 29th March 2011

Black Sexton Beetle Nicrophorus humator, North Elmham Cathedral Meadows (Norfolk, UK), 8th October 2021