[1] First described by German entomologist Ernst Kraatz in 1877, this beetle has since been the subject of much scientific inquiry—particularly concerning its parental care.

[3] Adult N. quadripunctatus have an average pronotum width of around 5 mm,[4] and are identifiable by their horizontal red striping on their elytra.

[4] N. quadripunctatus have been frequently sighted in the forest regions of Japan, South Korea, and eastern Russia, but they do not exclusively inhabit these areas.

[6] N. quadripunctatus emerge above ground according to a bimodal seasonal pattern with distinct peaks in May and September.

They play a critical role in breaking down organic matter and recycling its nutrients back into the soil.

Until they are ready to undergo metamorphosis and leave the burrow, larvae will eat liquified flesh regurgitated by their parents.

It takes approximately 12 hours from the time of carrion discovery to when it is buried and inhabited, and there is an extensive procedure to prepare the carcass into suitable condition for the beetles.

[8] Once a carcass is located through the chemoreceptors in the antennae, a breeding pair works together to strip the body of all its fur and feathers.

If the soil is too hard to tunnel through however, N. quadripunctatus can roll the carrion ball to another location more suitable for digging.

In order to do this, the beetle flips on its back, wiggles underneath the carcass, and propels it forward using its legs.

Indeed, another species of burying beetle, Nicophorus Americanus, has been observed rolling a carcass that exceeds its own body weight 200-fold.

The secretions mask the rotting smell, which would otherwise attract the attention of other burying beetles, or scavengers in general (e.g. flies).

[11] N. quadripunctatus care for their young biparentally, meaning both the male and female assume caretaking responsibilities.

When their mate was handicapped with the attachment of a 0.2 g weight to its pronotum, neither male nor female N. quadripunctatus adjusted their rates of provisioning.

In contrast, males spend a greater time guarding against intruders than their female partners.

Inferior conspecifics reside near the carcass, acting as satellite males and brood parasites.

While females can replace their brood after infanticide by mating with the invading beetle, males are not afforded this consolation.

After approximately six days, offspring enter their post-feeding larva stage and move to nearby soil.

They pupate in cells in the soil for approximately eight days after which they shed their exoskeletons in a process called ecdysis.

Although not necessary for copulation, males that have found a carcass prior to emitting pheromones experience greater certainty of paternity.

Male and female mate pairs provide biparental care to the offspring and will work together to defend carcasses and feed larvae as well.