Insect · GBIF taxon 8698067
Eleodes acuticauda
Eleodes acuticaudaAlso known as Pointed Pinacate Beetle, Pointed Acrobat Beetle, Sharp-tailed Stink Beetle
Pointed desert stink beetles navigate arid scrublands and coastal sage habitats throughout southwestern California and Baja California. When confronted by a predator, these flightless darkling beetles stand on their heads and elevate their abdomen to release a foul chemical spray. Their fused wing covers seal in precious body moisture, allowing adults to survive for several years in harsh desert environments.
NocturnalDefensive StinkDesert Dweller
1 / 7—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Decaying leaves
- Fallen seeds
- Fungal spores
Predators
- Southern Grasshopper Mouse
- Burrowing Owl
- Desert Scorpions
ThreatsHabitat loss from urban development and widespread pesticide use
HabitatsArid scrublands, desert valleys, chaparral, coastal sage scrub
Life span2–5 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderColeoptera
- FamilyTenebrionidae
- GenusEleodes
- SpeciesEleodes acuticauda
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Spotting: Search along sandy paths and dirt trails around dusk or early morning when temperatures cool down.
- Defense Posture: Watch for its head-down, tail-up warning stance when it feels threatened.
- Observation: Avoid picking them up directly to prevent triggering their pungent oily spray.
Predator (c) Olivia Guswiler, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative xpda / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
Image unavailableClose Relative
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