Bess Beetles
What are they?
Bess Beetles are a family of beetles that are represented in our region by a single species. They are closely related to the stag beetles and have a similar life style, beginning life as a larva that feeds on rotting wood - and thus serving as useful insects in recycling dead plant material. Both adults and larvae may be found living in the same rotting stump and have been found communicating with each other by rubbing parts of their bodies together to make a range of different noises.
Identification
Our single species can be told from all other beetles in our area by their highly-polished look, deeply gooved wing cases and distinctive body shape.
Horned Passalus Odontotaenius disjunctus
A common woodland beetle that feeds in small colonies in rotting wood. Adults are chunky, shiny, black beetles that look quite imposing with their large jaws, designed to cut through rotting wood. Note the strongly grooved wing cases and the obviously articulated body. Adults may come to light at night in late spring or summer.
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