Darkling Beetle

Darkling Beetle (Order Coleoptera Family Tenebrionidae)

There are 1400 species of darkling beetle with the majority of those found in the western region of North America. The various species of this beetle differ greatly in body shape but are generally dull brown or black. They are 2 to 35mm in length. They are found in the desert, in ant and termite nests, under rotten logs, bark and fungus. Both the adult form and the larval form of the darkling beetle feeds on fungi, seeds and decaying organic material. [BM] {PF}