I found this awesome looking creature yesterday afternoon while reworking a rock wall and thanks again to an expert at Bugguide, I’m becoming educated regarding our local insects. I was most concerned with whether it wants to eat my plants/trees but I was assured that it doesn’t eat living plant tissue. So…keep your garden healthy!
Click on the photo to see my post for ID request at Bugguide.
Update: correct ID of this beetle is Cryptoglossa (Death-feigning Beetle)
I always wondered what these guys were called – I’ve always called them the generic term “darkling beetle.” It’s nice to have a distinct name to call them. Thanks!
I think they do spend a lot of time underground, as I frequently see them with dirt on their backs.