Darkling-beetle
Guides
Cryptoglossa variolosa
Black Death-feigning Beetle
Cryptoglossa variolosa is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, commonly known as the Black Death-feigning Beetle. It occurs in arid regions of Mexico and the southwestern United States. The species is notable for its ability to feign death (thanatosis) when disturbed. It is one of several Cryptoglossa species adapted to desert environments.
Cybotus
Cybotus is a genus of darkling beetles in the family Tenebrionidae, established by Casey in 1890. It is a small genus with limited documented species, occurring in the Neotropical region. The genus belongs to the speciose family Tenebrionidae, which contains over 20,000 species of primarily detritivorous beetles. Information on Cybotus remains sparse in published literature.
Cybotus estriatus
Cybotus estriatus is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, first described by LeConte in 1878. The genus Cybotus is small and poorly documented, with limited published information on its biology. The species is known from Mexico based on collection records. Few observations exist, suggesting it may be uncommon, cryptic, or restricted to specific habitats.
Cynaeus angustus
Larger Black Flour Beetle
Cynaeus angustus is a North American darkling beetle that has become an invasive stored grain pest with established populations across Europe and Russia. It feeds on corn, wheat, sorghum, soybeans, and peanuts. The species shows high biotic potential with continuous development under favorable conditions and increasing protein content through its life stages. It serves as host to the microsporidian parasite Nosema cynaea.
Cynaeus depressus
Cynaeus depressus is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, first described by Horn in 1870. The species is characterized by its dorsoventrally flattened body form, an adaptation that distinguishes it within the genus. Distribution records indicate presence in Mexico, Norway, and Sweden, though the species appears to be rare or poorly collected based on limited observation data. The specific epithet "depressus" refers to this flattened body morphology.
Diaperis
Diaperis is a genus of darkling beetles in the family Tenebrionidae, established by Geoffroy in 1762. Species occur across Asia, Europe, and the Americas. The genus includes mycophagous species such as D. boleti, which feeds on wood-decomposing fungi. Some species were formerly classified under the genus Allophasia.
Diaperis californica
Diaperis californica is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, described by Blaisdell in 1929. It belongs to the genus Diaperis, a small group of beetles characterized by their distinctive body shape and coloration patterns. The species is known from California, as indicated by its specific epithet. Like other members of its family, it is likely associated with decaying organic matter and fungal resources, though specific biological details remain poorly documented.
Diaperis rufipes
Diaperis rufipes is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, described by Horn in 1870. It is native to Mexico and belongs to a genus characterized by distinctive body forms. The species epithet 'rufipes' refers to reddish legs, a trait that distinguishes it from congeners. Like other members of Tenebrionidae, it is likely associated with decaying wood or fungal habitats, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Dioedus punctatus
Dioedus punctatus is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, described by LeConte in 1862. It belongs to a genus of small to medium-sized beetles found primarily in North America. Like other members of Tenebrionidae, it is likely associated with decaying plant matter and soil habitats. The specific epithet 'punctatus' refers to punctation or spotting, suggesting distinctive surface markings on the elytra or pronotum.
Doliodesmus
Doliodesmus is a genus of darkling beetles (family Tenebrionidae) described by Spilman in 1967. The genus is native to the Nearctic region and is represented by a small number of species. Very little has been published on its biology or ecology. Records indicate extremely limited observational data, with only two documented observations on iNaturalist.
Edrotes
hairy robot beetle, desert hairy robot beetle
Edrotes is a genus of darkling beetles (Tenebrionidae) in the tribe Edrotini, characterized by small, rounded body forms adapted to arid environments. The genus includes species such as Edrotes ventricosus, which exhibits a distinctive fuzzy appearance due to dorsal setae. Members inhabit desert regions of southwestern North America and display seasonal activity patterns influenced by temperature.
Edrotes arens
A small darkling beetle (Tenebrionidae) in the genus Edrotes, described by La Rivers in 1947. The genus is associated with sandy habitats in western North America. One verified observation from Colorado in 2017 represents a notable range extension, as the genus had no previous records in that state. The species name 'arens' suggests a connection to sandy or arid environments (from Latin 'arena', sand).
Edrotes rotundus
Edrotes rotundus is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae. It is native to North America and has been documented in the southwestern United States and Mexico. The genus Edrotes is characterized by small, rounded body forms adapted to arid environments. Records from Colorado represent range extensions beyond the species' previously documented distribution.
Edrotes ventricosus
hairy robot beetle, desert hairy robot beetle
Edrotes ventricosus is a small darkling beetle native to southwestern North American deserts. Adults are distinctive for their rounded, compact body shape and dense covering of dorsal hairs. The species is herbivorous and has been observed feeding on several plant species including saltgrass and cheat grass. It is active primarily from early spring through late winter, with year-round activity in the southern portion of its range. The beetle has become popular in the pet trade due to its manageable care requirements and appealing appearance.
Eleates depressus
Conk-loving Darkling Beetle
Eleates depressus is a small darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, commonly known as the Conk-loving Darkling Beetle. The species has been recorded from multiple Canadian provinces including British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Northwest Territories, and Ontario. It is associated with conks (bracket fungi) on trees, where adults are found. The species was originally described by Randall in 1838.
Eleates occidentalis
Eleates occidentalis is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, described by Casey in 1886. The genus Eleates belongs to a diverse family of beetles commonly found in arid and semi-arid environments. As a member of Tenebrionidae, this species likely exhibits adaptations to dry conditions typical of the group.
Eleodes
pinacate beetles, desert stink beetles
Eleodes is the largest genus of darkling beetles in North America, comprising approximately 200 species. These beetles are endemic to western North America, ranging from southern Canada to central Mexico, with some species introduced to Colombia. Commonly known as pinacate beetles or desert stink beetles, they are flightless due to fused elytra and vestigial hindwings. All species possess chemical defense glands that produce quinone compounds, and many exhibit distinctive head-standing behavior when threatened. The genus shows remarkable ecological diversity, with species occupying deserts, forests, grasslands, and caves.
Eleodes acuta
desert stink beetle
Eleodes acuta is a large desert stink beetle in the family Tenebrionidae. It is closely related to and frequently confused with E. suturalis, with which it shares similar size, coloration, and habitat preferences. The species occurs in the Great Plains and southwestern United States, including areas of South Dakota and New Mexico. It is primarily nocturnal and exhibits the defensive head-stand behavior characteristic of the genus Eleodes.
Eleodes arcuata
Eleodes arcuata is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, first described by Thomas Lincoln Casey in 1884. The species belongs to the genus Eleodes, a diverse group of beetles commonly known as clown beetles or desert stink beetles. Records indicate this species occurs in Mexico. Like other members of Eleodes, it is likely adapted to arid or semi-arid environments, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Eleodes armata
Armored Stink Beetle
Eleodes armata, commonly known as the armored stink beetle, is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae. It inhabits arid regions of the western United States and Mexico. The species is distinguished by prominent spurs on all legs, a feature reflected in its specific epithet 'armata' (armed). Like other members of the genus Eleodes, it exhibits the characteristic head-standing defensive posture when disturbed.
Eleodes blanchardii
clown beetle
Eleodes blanchardii is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, commonly referred to as a 'clown beetle' due to the defensive head-stand posture characteristic of the genus. It belongs to a large and diverse genus of ground-dwelling beetles found primarily in arid and semi-arid regions of North America. The species was described by Blaisdell in 1909.
Eleodes caudifera
desert stink beetle
Eleodes caudifera is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, commonly referred to as a desert stink beetle. The species is native to arid regions of western North America and exhibits the defensive head-standing behavior typical of the genus Eleodes. It has been documented in sandy desert habitats, particularly in association with dune systems. The species was described by LeConte in 1858.
Eleodes cordata
desert stink beetle, clown beetle
Eleodes cordata is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, commonly referred to as a desert stink beetle or clown beetle. The species is part of a large genus of flightless, ground-dwelling beetles native to arid and semi-arid regions of North America. Like other Eleodes species, it possesses defensive chemical capabilities and exhibits the characteristic "headstand" defensive posture when threatened. The species was described by Eschscholtz in 1829.
Eleodes delicata
clown beetle
Eleodes delicata is a species of clown beetle (family Tenebrionidae) described by Blaisdell in 1929. It belongs to a large genus of darkling beetles known for defensive head-stand behavior. The species is recorded from Mexico, though detailed biological information appears limited in published literature. Like other Eleodes species, it is presumed to be nocturnal and ground-dwelling.
Eleodes dentipes
Dentate Stink Beetle
Eleodes dentipes is a medium-sized darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, commonly known as the dentate stink beetle. It measures 16–28 mm in length and is frequently encountered in decaying wood and leaf litter habitats. The species is widely distributed and readily identifiable within the genus Eleodes by its size and habitat preferences.
Eleodes dissimilis
desert stink beetle
Eleodes dissimilis is a species of desert stink beetle in the family Tenebrionidae. It was described by Blaisdell in 1909. The species belongs to the genus Eleodes, a diverse group of darkling beetles commonly known as stink beetles due to their defensive chemical secretions. Distribution records indicate presence in Mexico.
Eleodes eschscholtzii
desert stink beetle
Eleodes eschscholtzii is a species of darkling beetle (family Tenebrionidae) native to arid regions of western North America. The species is part of the diverse Eleodes genus, commonly known as clown beetles or desert stink beetles, characterized by defensive chemical secretion and a distinctive head-stand posture when threatened. Two subspecies are recognized: E. e. eschscholtzii and E. e. lucae.
Eleodes extricata
Extricated Darkling Beetle
Eleodes extricata is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, commonly known as the extricated darkling beetle or desert stink beetle. It belongs to the genus Eleodes, a group often referred to as clown beetles or stink beetles due to their defensive behavior of raising their abdomen when threatened. The species was originally described by Thomas Say in 1824 as Blaps extricata. Records indicate a distribution in Mexico.
Eleodes fuchsii
Eleodes fuchsii is a darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, first described by Blaisdell in 1909. As a member of the genus Eleodes, it belongs to a group commonly known as "clown beetles" or "stink beetles," recognized for their defensive posture of raising the abdomen when disturbed. The species is part of a large North American genus with over 200 described species, many of which inhabit arid and semi-arid regions.
Eleodes goryi
desert stink beetle
Eleodes goryi is a species of desert stink beetle in the family Tenebrionidae. It belongs to the genus Eleodes, a large group of darkling beetles commonly known as clown beetles due to their defensive head-stand posture. The species was described by Solier in 1848 and is recorded from Mexico.
Eleodes gracilis
desert stink beetle
Eleodes gracilis is a species of desert stink beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, first described by LeConte in 1858. The species belongs to the genus Eleodes, commonly known as stink beetles or darkling beetles, which are characterized by their defensive behavior of raising the abdomen when disturbed. Two subspecies are recognized: Eleodes gracilis gracilis and Eleodes gracilis distans. The species is distributed in Mexico and has been recorded in the southwestern United States.
Eleodes grandicollis
desert stink beetle
Eleodes grandicollis is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae. The species was described by Mannerheim in 1843. Two subspecies are recognized: E. g. grandicollis and E. g. valida. The species is part of the diverse Eleodes genus, commonly known as desert stink beetles or clown beetles, which are characteristic of arid environments in North America.
Eleodes halli
Eleodes halli is a species of darkling beetle (Tenebrionidae) in the genus Eleodes, commonly known as clown beetles. The genus is characterized by defensive head-standing behavior when disturbed. Species within this genus are often large, conspicuous beetles of arid and semi-arid regions, with several exhibiting Batesian mimicry of tiger beetles. Eleodes halli was described by Blaisdell in 1941.
Eleodes hirsuta
Hairy Stink Beetle, Hairy Eleodes
Eleodes hirsuta is a large darkling beetle (Tenebrionidae) native to western North America, recognized by its conspicuously hairy body and defensive chemical-secreting behavior. The species belongs to the 'clown beetle' group, known for their characteristic head-stand posture when threatened. Adults are primarily nocturnal and active during warmer months in arid and semi-arid grassland habitats.
Eleodes hispilabris
Rough-lipped Darkling Beetle, desert stink beetle
Eleodes hispilabris is a darkling beetle (Tenebrionidae) native to North America, where it occurs in arid and semi-arid regions including the Great Plains. It is closely related to and frequently confused with Eleodes suturalis, sharing similar size, coloration, and a reddish-brown sutural stripe on the elytra. The species exhibits scale-dependent habitat selection and performs the characteristic defensive 'head stand' behavior typical of the genus Eleodes.
Eleodes humeralis
Eleodes humeralis is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1857. It belongs to the large genus Eleodes, commonly known as clown beetles or desert stink beetles, which are characterized by their defensive posture of standing on their head and raising their abdomen when disturbed. The species name refers to the humeral (shoulder) region of the elytra. Records indicate it occurs in western North America, including British Columbia, Canada.
Eleodes inculta
Island Darkling Beetle
A darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, known from limited observations primarily on islands. The species belongs to the diverse genus Eleodes, commonly referred to as clown beetles or stink beetles due to their defensive behaviors. Available records indicate a restricted distribution with relatively few documented observations.
Eleodes knullorum
Eleodes knullorum is a darkling beetle species in the family Tenebrionidae, described by Triplehorn in 1971. It belongs to the diverse genus Eleodes, commonly known as clown beetles or desert stink beetles. Records indicate this species occurs in Mexico. As with many Eleodes species, it likely exhibits the defensive head-stand behavior characteristic of the genus when disturbed.
Eleodes longicollis
desert stink beetle, clown beetle
Eleodes longicollis is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, commonly known as the desert stink beetle or clown beetle. It is a large, flightless beetle native to arid regions of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. The species is notable for its distinctive defensive behavior of raising its abdomen and standing on its head when threatened, a posture that has earned members of the genus the common name 'clown beetles.' Like other Eleodes species, it possesses defensive glands capable of producing noxious secretions.
Eleodes longipilosa
Eleodes longipilosa is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, described by Horn in 1891. The species belongs to the large genus Eleodes, commonly known as clown beetles or stink beetles, which are characterized by their defensive head-stand posture when threatened. Specific ecological and behavioral details for E. longipilosa remain poorly documented in published literature. The species name 'longipilosa' suggests long pilosity (hairiness), though this characteristic has not been explicitly described in available sources.
Eleodes nigrina
desert stink beetle
Eleodes nigrina is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, commonly referred to as a desert stink beetle. It belongs to the genus Eleodes, a group known for defensive head-stand posturing when disturbed. The species was described by LeConte in 1858. Available information on this species is limited, with few detailed ecological or behavioral studies published.
Eleodes novoverrucula
Eleodes novoverrucula is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, first described by Boddy in 1957. The genus Eleodes, commonly known as clown beetles or stink beetles, is characterized by defensive behaviors including the distinctive "head stand" posture when disturbed. This species belongs to a large genus of primarily North American desert and prairie beetles. Specific morphological and behavioral details for E. novoverrucula remain poorly documented in published literature.
Eleodes nunenmacheri
Eleodes nunenmacheri is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae. It belongs to the genus Eleodes, commonly known as clown beetles or stink beetles, which are characterized by their defensive head-stand posture. The species was described by Blaisdell in 1918. Very little specific information is available for this particular species compared to more frequently encountered Eleodes species.
Eleodes obscura glabriuscula
Eleodes obscura glabriuscula is a subspecies of the widespread darkling beetle Eleodes obscura, distinguished by its relatively smoother (less setose) elytral surface compared to the nominate subspecies. As a member of the Eleodes subgenus Eleodes, it exhibits the characteristic defensive head-stand posture typical of clown beetles when threatened. The subspecies occurs in western North America and shares the general habitat preferences of E. obscura, favoring arid and semi-arid environments.
Eleodes parowana
Eleodes parowana is a species of darkling beetle (Tenebrionidae) described by Blaisdell in 1925. The genus Eleodes, commonly known as clown beetles or stink beetles, is characterized by defensive head-standing behavior when disturbed. Species within this genus are primarily nocturnal and inhabit arid and semi-arid regions of North America. E. parowana is one of numerous Eleodes species found in western North American deserts and grasslands.
Eleodes patulicollis
Eleodes patulicollis is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, described by Blaisdell in 1932. It belongs to the large genus Eleodes, commonly known as clown beetles or stink beetles, which are characterized by their defensive head-stand posture when disturbed. The species is part of a taxonomically challenging group within Eleodes where morphological similarity among species requires careful examination of pronotal and elytral characters for accurate identification. Available occurrence records are sparse, with limited observational data documented in biodiversity databases.
Eleodes pedinoides
clown beetle
Eleodes pedinoides is a darkling beetle (family Tenebrionidae) native to Mexico. Like other members of the genus Eleodes, it exhibits the defensive 'headstand' behavior characteristic of clown beetles, raising its abdomen when disturbed to release defensive secretions. The species is closely related to E. suturalis and E. hispilabris, with which it shares general body form and dark coloration. Available information on this species is limited compared to its better-known North American congeners.
Eleodes pimelioides
desert stink beetle, stout darkling beetle
Eleodes pimelioides is a small species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae. It has been observed in alpine coniferous forest habitats, where it is active at night. The species is part of the diverse Eleodes genus, commonly known as desert stink beetles or clown beetles, though this particular species appears to favor cooler, higher-elevation environments rather than true desert conditions.
Eleodes rileyi
Riley's clown beetle
Eleodes rileyi is a species of clown beetle in the family Tenebrionidae. It belongs to the large genus Eleodes, which contains numerous species of darkling beetles commonly known as clown beetles or stink beetles due to their defensive head-standing behavior. The species was described by Casey in 1891. Like other members of the genus, it is presumed to exhibit the characteristic defensive posture of raising its abdomen and standing on its head when disturbed, though specific behavioral documentation for this species is limited in the provided sources.
Eleodes rileyi reducta
Eleodes rileyi reducta is a subspecies of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae. Like other members of the genus Eleodes, it exhibits the defensive "head stand" behavior characteristic of clown beetles. The species E. rileyi and its subspecies are part of the diverse Eleodes fauna of western North America, though specific information distinguishing E. rileyi reducta from the nominate subspecies is limited in available sources.