American Carrion Beetle

Remember this picture? I didn't know what these were. While searching still for their identity, I came upon www.bugguide.net, they offer a service to identify your bug if you supply them with a picture. Just for kicks, I uploaded this picture and in literally 10 minutes was given the answer to my quest. Thanks guys at Bug Guide!!! Now, the American Carrion Beetle may be as common as an ant, but I really had no clue, and they didn't make me feel less of a bug person for not knowing this. If you have a bug and don't know what it is, this service is great.

Let's learn about the American Carrion Beetle. This beetle is less than an inch long. True, mine was about .75". They feed on dead and decaying matter as well as larvae of some insects. These may have been munching on tree sap. They help break matter down and return nutrients into the soil. Very important guys.

Interesting Findings

Here is an oak tree with "the 17 year" cicada larvae damage. Here in the Chicago area we were invaded by the 17 year cicada. This means every 17 years these red eyed cicadas emerge from underground, climb up everything, mate, lay their young, and drop back down. When they lay the young, the female cuts a slit in the twig of outlaying branches and the larvae feed on the sap, causing little damage to some leaves. We also have annual cicadas which do not do as much harm. This tree is at The Little Red Schoolhouse, Willow Springs.

What are these beetles? Maybe they're not even beetles? I know little bug facts. Aren't they interesting? I found these guys at Little Red Schoolhouse on a young oak tree near an open field about 2 weeks ago. If anyone can identify these guys please be kind to let me know. Thanks! I don't know if they are eating bark or kissing? They had very little movement.