Eleodes granulata
LeConte, 1857
Eleodes granulata is a of darkling beetle in the Tenebrionidae, described by LeConte in 1857. The Eleodes, commonly known as clown beetles, is characterized by a defensive -stand posture when threatened. Species in this genus are often large, robust beetles found in arid and semi-arid regions of North America. E. granulata is known from western North America, with records from British Columbia, Canada.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Eleodes granulata: /ɛˈlɛ.oʊˌdiːz ˌɡrænjʊˈleɪtə/
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Distribution
Western North America. Documented from British Columbia, Canada. The Eleodes is broadly distributed across North American arid and semi-arid zones.
Behavior
Members of the Eleodes perform a characteristic defensive known as a "-stand," in which the raises its and points its defensive glands toward potential threats.
Human Relevance
Clown beetles in the Eleodes are sometimes kept as low-maintenance pets due to their hardiness and long lifespan in captivity.
Similar Taxa
- Eleodes suturalisSimilar size, coloration (black with reddish-brown sutural stripe), and in the Great Plains region. E. suturalis is distinguished by sharply laterally carinate and broadly explanate pronotum.
- Eleodes hispilabrisSimilar size and coloration; occasional individuals exhibit the reddish-brown sutural stripe. Distinguished by subtle morphological differences in pronotal shape and elytral .
- Eleodes acutaOccurs in the same and area as E. suturalis with similar coloration including the rosy red sutural stripe. Distinguished by rounded lateral borders of the pronotum (vs. upturned in E. suturalis) and larger average size (approximately 30 mm vs. under 26 mm for E. suturalis).