Eleodes

Eleodes is a genus of darkling beetles, family Tenebrionidae.[1] They are commonly known as pinacate beetles or desert stink beetles. They are endemic to western North America, with many species found in the Sonoran Desert. The name pinacate is Mexican Spanish, derived from the Nahuatl (Aztec) name for the insect, pinacatl, which translates as "black beetle."[2]

This article is about the genus of beetles. For the volcanic range on the Sonora-Arizona border, see Pinacate, California. For the California town, see Pinacate Peaks.

Eleodes
Eleodes pimelioides
Scientific classification e
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Family: Tenebrionidae
Tribe: Amphidorini
Genus: Eleodes
Eschscholtz, 1829
Subgenera
  • Amphidora Eschscholtz, 1829
  • Ardeleodes Blaisdell, 1937
  • Blapylis Horn, 1870
  • Litheleodes Blaisdell, 1909
  • Melaneleodes Blaisdell, 1909
  • Metablapylis Blaisdell, 1909
  • Omegeleodes Triplehorn & Thomas, 2012
  • Promus LeConte, 1862
  • Pseudeleodes Blaisdell, 1909
  • Tricheleodes Blaisdell, 1909
  • Xysta Eschscholtz, 1829

Eleodes species range from 8 to 40 mm in length and are black. All produce quinone or similar substances as a deterrent to predators, and many will stand on their heads to spray it. They are found in sandy environments.[3]

Some species, such as the Wooly Darkling Beetle or Eleodes Osculans, are capable of flight. [4]

See also

References
  1. Bousquet, Yves; Thomas, Donald B.; Bouchard, Patrice; Smith, Aaron D.; Aalbu, Rolf L.; Johnston, M. Andrew & Steiner, Warren E. Jr. (2018). "Catalogue of Tenebrionidae (Coleoptera) of North America". ZooKeys (728): 1–455. doi:10.3897/zookeys.728.20602. PMC 5799738. PMID 29416389.
  2. Clarke, Chris (September 13, 2013). "The Pinacate Beetle is Not Afraid of You". KCET. Retrieved April 13, 2022.
  3. Will, Kip; Gross, Joyce; Rubinoff, Daniel; Powell, Jerry A. (2020). Field Guide to California Insects. Oakland, California: University of California Press. p. 242. ISBN 9780520288744.
  4. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eleodes. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
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