Bess Beetles (Passalidae)

by Jeffrey S. Pippen | Back to Jeff's Miscellaneous Invertebrates Page | Jeff's Nature Pages


Bess Beetle, Horned Passalus (Odontotaenius disjunctus)
Durham Co., NC
15 Mar 2008

These large beetles are commonly found under logs in wooded habitats. According to bugguide.net, they feed on rotting wood and/or fungi and are widespread in the eastern & central US.

Bess Beetle, Horned Passalus (Odontotaenius disjunctus)
Durham Co., NC
15 Mar 2008

Altough they look intimidating, I've handled many and have never been bitten.



Back to Jeff's Miscellaneous Invertebrates Page | Jeff's Nature Pages

Created on ... Apr 8, 2008 | jspippen@duke.edu