18-489: See text Eleodes (commonly known as pinacate beetles or desert stink beetles ) is a genus of darkling beetles , in the family Tenebrionidae . They are endemic to western North America ranging from southern Canada to central Mexico with many species found along the Mexico-United States border . Some species have been introduced to Colombia . The name pinacate is Mexican Spanish , derived from
36-427: A strengthened defense against potential predators. Another Müllerian mimicry complex exists between Eleodes scabrosa and Eleodes tuberculata . The "head-standing" behavior exhibited by these beetles is aposematic. By leaving their presence and identity unambiguous to potential predators, it means that more individuals can survive as predators will avoid beetles with the "head-standing" behavior. While this defense
54-531: A varied range of forms, such that classification presents great difficulties. These eleven subfamilies were listed in the 2021 review by Bouchard, Bousquet, et al. , updating a similar catalog from 2005. Ongoing phylogenetic studies are showing that some taxonomic changes are needed. For instance the tribal classification of tribe Pedinini has recently been altered. The misspelling "Te r ebrionidae" occurs frequently enough to be easily overlooked. The error appears to have no particular significance, but to be
72-403: Is a species of desert stink beetle in the family Tenebrionidae , found in southwestern North America. Their pronotum , strongly arcuate, is twice width of their head, having dentate projections on the anterior corners. The broad head and spines on the front legs, as well as golden hairs on the underside of the legs distinguish it from Coelocnemis . This Tenebrionidae -related article
90-550: Is generally effective in deterring predators, they are still preyed upon by many species, such as owls , foxes , coyotes , skunks , bats , turtles , etc. Fossils of Eleodes acuticauda , Eleodes osculans , Eleodes carbonaria , Eleodes granulata , Eleodes gracilis , and others have been found in the La Brea Tar Pits , Carpinteria Tar Pits , and the Snowmastodon Site which are all dated to
108-496: Is most commonly a form of quinone . While not being poisonous the liquid does usually deter predators, the success of this defense mechanism has led to the evolution of a Müllerian mimicry complex among Eleodes acuticauda , Eleodes dentipes , and Coelocnemis magna , the latter of which while not being within Eleodes is a still distasteful prey item. All three previously mentioned species look strikingly similar leading to
126-743: Is the common name for members of the beetle family Tenebrionidae , comprising over 20,000 species in a cosmopolitan distribution. Tenebrio is the Latin generic name that Carl Linnaeus assigned to some flour beetles in his 10th edition of Systema Naturae 1758-59. The name means "lover of darkness"; the English language term 'darkling' means "characterised by darkness or obscurity"; see also English 'tenebrous', figuratively "obscure, gloomy." Many Tenebrionidae species inhabit dark places; in genera such as Stenocara and Onymacris , they are active by day and inactive at night. The family covers
144-401: Is very reduced and vestigial . Most members of the genus Eleodes are primarily detrivores feeding on plant and animal debris, some species are more inclined to consume living plants which is especially true for species native to the plains of North America such as Eleodes hispilabris and Eleodes opaca . The larvae of those species and others are considered pests as they feed on
162-486: The Nahuatl (Aztec) name for the insect, pinacatl , which translates as "black beetle". Eleodes species range from about 10 to 50 millimetres (0.39 to 1.97 in) in length and are black in color with some having a reddish tint on their abdomen. The setae of some species such as Eleodes osculans collect debris and give the insect a brown color, a similar effect occurs in the species Eleodes mirabilis giving it
180-621: The Namib , and have evolved adaptions by which they collect droplets of fog that deposit on their elytra . As the droplets accumulate the water drains down the beetles' backs to their mouthparts, where they swallow it. Humans spread some species such that they have become cosmopolitan, such as Tribolium castaneum , the red flour beetle, which was spread through grain products. The larval stages of several species are cultured as feeder insects for captive insectivores or as laboratory subjects: Eleodes acuticauda Eleodes acuticauda
198-576: The Pleistocene epoch. Eleodes split off from the rest of Amphidorini at least 8 to 15 million years ago in the Miocene, although this estimate is likely on the lower side due to low taxon sampling. Eleodes is the largest New World genus of darkling beetles comprising around 200 species divided up into the following 17 subgenera. Subgenera: Incertae sedis : Darkling beetles See text Alleculidae Darkling beetle
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#1732783057104216-524: The appearance of having whitish stripes on its abdomen. Due to the number of species and their large range these beetles have a fairly varied appearance throughout the many species. All produce quinone or similar substances as a deterrent to predators, and many will stand on their heads to spray it. They are typically found in the arid desert regions of their range but can also be found in forests and grasslands. All Eleodes species are flightless as their elytra are fused together and their second pair of wings
234-399: The cold. When spring arrives they go back to being active in the day until the summer when they switch to being active at night to survive the deadly high temperatures of the desert. Eleodes take shelter almost anywhere that can protect them from the hot and cold, this can be wood or rocks but is often rodent burrows. Every night when these beetles scavenge for food they pick a new shelter for
252-532: The day which if not suitable for protection against the elements, will be abandoned in search of a new one. One subgenus, Caverneleodes , lives exclusively in caves, cave-like environments, or rock crevices, these beetles have reduced eyes and only leave their hideouts to scavenge for food. Beetles within Eleodes and other genera within Tenebrionidae exude a foul smelling odor and a very distasteful liquid from glands to ward off predators. This liquid
270-636: The larger species are flightless, and those that are capable, such as T. molitor , often rarely do so. The larvae , known as mealworms or false wireworms, are usually fossorial , heavily sclerotized and nocturnal. They may possibly be an important resource for certain invertebrates and small mammals . Adults of many species have chemical defenses and are relatively protected against predators. Adults of most species, except grain pests, have slow metabolisms, and live long lives compared to other insects, ranging from approximately six months to two years. Some species live in intensely dry deserts such as
288-743: The product of misreadings, mis-scans and mis-typings. The oldest known member of the family is Jurallecula from the Late Jurassic Karabastau Formation of Kazakhstan, assigned to the subfamily Alleculinae. The Tenebrionidae may be identified by a combination of features, including: Tenebrionid beetles occupy ecological niches in mainly deserts and forests as plant scavengers. Most species are generalistic omnivores , and feed on decaying leaves, rotting wood, fresh plant matter, dead insects, and fungi as larvae and adults. Several genera, including Bolitotherus , are specialized fungivores which feed on polypores . Many of
306-408: The roots of crops. Species found in dry regions such as members of the subgenus Eleodes are usually much larger than what is expected for most insects, this is due the lack of water in the area leading to these beetles evolving larger bodies in order to hold more of it. Water loss is also the reason that the elytra are fused in Eleodes . As expected, species found in forests, such as members of
324-469: The subgenus Blapylis are smaller, closer to the size of most other insects. Eleodes are generally more active at night, some species are strictly nocturnal while others can and will be active during the day. As these beetles are fairly long lived when it comes to insects they must adapt to the different seasons. During the fall they are diurnal as it is warmest during the day. When winter comes they take shelter and become inactive as to not freeze in
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