Tenebrionidae

I already posted a specimen from Tenebrionidae, however this is a very common species of Tenebrionidae, and I felt compelled to share. Unlike the other specimen I posted, this species has no hair-like extensions on the elytra (top abdominal shell). Most of the members of Tenebrionidae are absent of hair (setae). Members of Tenebrionidae are also known as Darkling Beetles, and their pupa are various meal worms.

Coleoptera; Polyphaga; Tenebrionoidea; Tenebrionidae; Opatrinae; Eleodes dentipes
Common Name: Darkling Beetle, "Stink Bug" (misnomer)

These insects are commonly mistaken as "Stink Bugs" when they are neither bugs (order Hemiptera, compared to order Coleoptera), nor is that their official common name. An example of a stink bug can be seen here. True stink bugs come in colors ranging from green, to brown, to black and red. The insect pictured above is most likely associated with stink bugs because if disturbed it raises its pointed abdomen into the air as if to spray a chemical, and when crushed they smell very unpleasant. I am not positive on my identification of the species, but the genus is definitely Eleodes. They can be differentiated from Carabidae, another common family of ground beetles, by having a body raised off the ground and small jaws.

Tenebrionidae

This specimen was collected in La Verne, CA of Los Angeles County. I was hoping it was a new family for the collection, but it ended up being part of Tenebrionidae, of which I already have one specimen - coincidentally, also of genus Eleodes. Most members of Tenebrionidae do not have hairs, but this specimen and one other of genus Eleodes appear to be covered in setae. This specimen is approximately 15 mm long, and 5 mm wide.

Coleoptera; Polyphaga; Tenebrionoidea; Tenebrionidae; Opatrinae; Eleodes osculans
Common Name: Woolly Darkling Beetle

This specimen is a member of Tenebrionidae, or Darkling beetles. Mealworms are a common larvae for Darkling beetles. Characteristic keying features include 5-5-4 tarsomere configuration and 11-segmented non-clubbed antennae. These insects have sealed elytra and so are incapable of flight, eat decaying and live plant flesh, are not known to bite, and may emit pungent odors. Many have an awkward gait and some lift their pointed abdomen in the air when threatened. This is an extremely common insect family and genus in California.