Tenebrionidae
Guides
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 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 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 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 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 fusiformis
desert stink beetle, clown beetle
Eleodes fusiformis is a species of desert stink beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, described by LeConte in 1858. As a member of the genus Eleodes, it shares the characteristic defensive head-standing behavior common to clown beetles. The species is found in arid regions of western North America. Like other Eleodes species, it possesses chemical defense glands that produce noxious secretions when disturbed.
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 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 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 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 parvicollis
Eleodes parvicollis is a species of desert stink beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, first described by Eschscholtz in 1829. It belongs to the genus Eleodes, commonly known as clown beetles, which are recognized for their distinctive defensive head-stand behavior. The species is one of numerous Eleodes species found in arid and semi-arid regions of North America. Specific ecological and behavioral details for E. parvicollis remain poorly documented in the available literature.
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.
Eleodes scabrosa
desert beetle
Eleodes scabrosa is a darkling beetle (family Tenebrionidae) native to western North America, ranging from Washington state to Mexico. The species exhibits notable habitat flexibility, occurring on temperate beaches in the northern part of its range and in desert environments farther south, with coastal preferences persisting throughout. Its black coloration and textured abdomen are characteristic of the genus Eleodes.
Eleodes spiculifera
Eleodes spiculifera is a species of clown beetle (family Tenebrionidae) described by Triplehorn in 2007. It belongs to a genus renowned for defensive head-standing behavior when disturbed. The species is part of the diverse Eleodes fauna of western North America, a region where these beetles are conspicuous components of arid and semi-arid ecosystems.
Eleodes tribulus
Eleodes tribulus is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, described by Thomas in 2005. The species belongs to the large genus Eleodes, commonly known as clown beetles, which are recognized for their defensive head-stand behavior. Distribution records indicate presence in Mexico. As a relatively recently described species, detailed biological information remains limited.
Eleodes versatilis
Eleodes versatilis is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, first described by Blaisdell in 1921. The genus Eleodes, commonly known as clown beetles or stink beetles, is characterized by defensive head-standing behavior when disturbed. Specific information about E. versatilis is limited; the species has been recorded in taxonomic databases but detailed natural history documentation is sparse. Members of the genus are primarily nocturnal and inhabit arid and semi-arid environments across North America.
Eleodes veterator
Texas Coastal Teneb
Eleodes veterator is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, commonly known as the Texas Coastal Teneb. As a member of the Eleodes genus, it shares the defensive "head stand" behavior characteristic of clown beetles, where the beetle elevates its abdomen to release defensive secretions. The species was described by Horn in 1874. Information specific to this species is limited compared to better-known congeners such as E. suturalis and E. hispilabris.
Eleodes wenzeli
Eleodes wenzeli is a species of darkling beetle (Tenebrionidae) described by Blaisdell in 1925. It belongs to the large genus Eleodes, commonly known as clown beetles or stink beetles due to their defensive head-standing behavior. The species is part of a taxonomically challenging complex within Eleodes that includes similar-looking species such as E. suturalis and E. hispilabris. Available occurrence records suggest limited documented observations, with 12 records in iNaturalist as of the data cutoff.
Eleodes wynnei
Wynne's clown beetle
Eleodes wynnei is a species of clown beetle (family Tenebrionidae) described in 2012. It belongs to the large genus Eleodes, which contains numerous species in North America commonly known as clown beetles or stink beetles due to their defensive head-stand posture. The species is named in honor of someone with the surname Wynne. As a recently described species, detailed natural history information remains limited in the published literature.
Embaphion contractum
Embaphion contractum is a darkling beetle (family Tenebrionidae) in the genus Embaphion, a group characterized by their distinctly explanate (flattened and expanded) body form. The species is found in arid and semi-arid regions of western North America. Like other tenebrionids, it is primarily nocturnal and exhibits slow, deliberate movement rather than rapid flight.
Embaphion contusum
Embaphion contusum is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae. The species was described by LeConte in 1858 and contains three recognized subspecies: E. c. contusum (the nominate subspecies), E. c. laminatum (Casey, 1890), and E. c. grande (Blaisdell, 1909). Like other members of the genus Embaphion, this species exhibits the explanate (flattened and expanded) body form characteristic of the group. The genus Embaphion is part of the diverse darkling beetle fauna of western North America.
Embaphion elongatum
Embaphion elongatum is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, first described by Horn in 1870. The genus Embaphion is characterized by beetles with explanate (flattened and expanded) body margins, giving them a distinctive, almost disc-like appearance. This species is part of a group of darkling beetles adapted to arid and semi-arid environments of western North America. Members of this genus are nocturnal and have been observed in sand dune habitats.
Embaphion planum
Embaphion planum is a darkling beetle species in the family Tenebrionidae, first described by Horn in 1870. The genus Embaphion is characterized by distinctly explanate (flanged or flattened) elytra that give these beetles a broad, flattened appearance. Species in this genus are primarily nocturnal and associated with arid and semi-arid habitats. E. planum is one of several Embaphion species found in North American desert and grassland ecosystems.
Eschatomoxys
Eschatomoxys is a genus of darkling beetles in the family Tenebrionidae, subfamily Pimeliinae, tribe Edrotini. The genus was established by Blaisdell in 1935 and is distributed in the Nearctic region. As a member of the Edrotini, it belongs to a tribe of arid-adapted tenebrionids often associated with desert and semi-desert environments. The genus has received taxonomic revision but published biological details remain limited.
Eschatomoxys andrewsi
Eschatomoxys andrewsi is a darkling beetle (family Tenebrionidae) described by Aalbu & Thomas in 2008. The genus Eschatomoxys belongs to the diverse beetle family Tenebrionidae, commonly known as darkling beetles, which are primarily detritivores and scavengers. This species is known from extremely limited occurrence records, with only a single observation documented on iNaturalist.
Eschatomoxys pholeter
Eschatomoxys pholeter is a species of darkling beetle described in 2008. It belongs to the family Tenebrionidae, a large group of beetles commonly associated with arid and semi-arid environments. The species epithet "pholeter" (Greek for "cave dweller") suggests a possible association with subterranean or cave habitats. As a recently described species with no iNaturalist observations, its biology and distribution remain poorly documented.
Eschatoporis nunenmacheri
Eschatoporis nunenmacheri is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, described by Blaisdell in 1906. The genus Eschatoporis is endemic to western North America and comprises several species restricted to arid and semi-arid regions. This species, like other members of its genus, is poorly known and has not been recorded in citizen science databases such as iNaturalist. Tenebrionidae is a large family of beetles predominantly associated with dry habitats, where they function as detritivores and scavengers.
Eulabis
Eulabis is a genus of darkling beetles (family Tenebrionidae) within the tribe Eulabini. The genus was established by Eschscholtz in 1829 and contains species found in western North America. As members of Tenebrionidae, these beetles are generally associated with arid and semi-arid environments. The genus is relatively small and understudied compared to larger tenebrionid genera.
Eulabis bicarinata
Eulabis bicarinata is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, described by Eschscholtz in 1829. It belongs to the genus Eulabis, a group of small to medium-sized beetles within the diverse Tenebrionidae family. The species name "bicarinata" refers to the two-keeled or two-ridged structure, likely describing a diagnostic feature of the pronotum or elytra. As with many tenebrionid beetles, it is presumed to inhabit arid or semi-arid environments, though specific ecological data remain limited.
Eusattus
sand darkling beetle
Eusattus is a genus of darkling beetles in the family Tenebrionidae, established by J.L. LeConte in 1851. Species within this genus are associated with sandy habitats in western North America. The genus is represented by at least one well-documented species, Eusattus reticulatus, which has been observed in juniper-oak-pinyon woodland on sandstone escarpments.
Eusattus convexus
Eusattus convexus is a darkling beetle species in the family Tenebrionidae, described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1851. The species is known from Mexico and has been documented through 19 iNaturalist observations. As a member of Tenebrionidae, it likely inhabits arid or semi-arid environments typical of the genus, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented in the available literature.
Eusattus difficilis
Eusattus difficilis is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, described by LeConte in 1851. The genus Eusattus belongs to a diverse group of beetles commonly known as darkling beetles, which are primarily found in arid and semi-arid environments. This species is native to Mexico, as indicated by distribution records. The specific epithet "difficilis" (Latin for "difficult") may allude to identification challenges or habitat characteristics. Darkling beetles in this genus are typically ground-dwelling and adapted to dry conditions.
Eusattus dubius
Eusattus dubius is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1851. The genus Eusattus belongs to the tribe Solenini, a group of tenebrionid beetles predominantly found in arid and semi-arid regions of North America. Like other members of this tribe, E. dubius is likely adapted to dry habitats. The species has been documented through 28 observations on iNaturalist, indicating it is encountered with moderate frequency by naturalists, though detailed natural history information remains limited in publicly available sources.
Eusattus dubius arizonensis
A darkling beetle subspecies described from Arizona in 1984. Part of the diverse Eusattus genus within the Tenebrionidae family, this taxon represents one of many cryptic or poorly documented beetle subspecies in the North American aridlands. The species Eusattus dubius itself was described by Casey in 1890. Very few observations exist in public databases, suggesting either genuine rarity or undercollection due to its cryptic habits.
Eusattus muricatus
Eusattus muricatus is a darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae. The genus Eusattus comprises sand-dwelling species found in arid and semi-arid regions of western North America. Eusattus muricatus is one of several species in this genus adapted to sandy habitats, where it occurs as part of the ground-dwelling beetle fauna.
Eusattus politus
Eusattus politus is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae. The genus Eusattus comprises sand-dwelling darkling beetles found in arid and semi-arid regions of western North America. Members of this genus are typically associated with sandy substrates and are active during the warmer months. Based on related species in the genus, E. politus likely inhabits sandy grasslands and dune systems.
Eusattus pons
Eusattus pons is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, described by Triplehorn in 1968. The genus Eusattus comprises sand-dwelling darkling beetles found in arid and semi-arid regions of North America. As with other members of this genus, E. pons is likely associated with sandy habitats, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented. The species is recorded from Mexico.
Eusattus productus
Eusattus productus is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1858. The genus Eusattus comprises small to medium-sized tenebrionids associated with sandy or loose soil habitats. The species is known from Mexico, with records indicating occurrence in arid or semi-arid regions. Like other members of the genus, it is likely nocturnal and ground-dwelling, though specific behavioral observations remain limited.