Black Sexton Beetle - Nicrophorus humator. The Sexton beetles are the undertakers of the insect world. They fly to carrion, attracted by the smell. If the dead animal is small, such as a mouse, they crawl underneath and excavate the soil so that the corpse gradually sinks into the ground. They then lay eggs nearby, and stay until the larvae hatch, and even feed them. They fly around at night and can smell carrion from a mile away. They are an essential part of the natural world and are very specilised as all Beetles are. This was found on the manchester Mosses but can turn up anywhere. If you meet one do not pick up as they can eject a foul smelling liquid that cannot be washed off.