Further, they appear to be quite long lived. We sold our remaining stock as we were unable to get the eggs to hatch. No doubt the problem was in our choice and depth of substrate. Anyone with a source of these please let us know. Desert Beetle Eleodes species These are pictured in a classic pose, the breeding position.
Typical size is an inch or more for females, with males being slightly smaller.
We have observed that the females sometimes have a maroon blush. These beetles are otherwise glossy black with grooves on the wing covers. We keep these as we keep most dung beetles, in moderately moist soil with plenty of decaying vegetation upon which to feed. These beetles are unusually large Tenebrionids, the same large family as those beetles that produce the common mealworm, so care of these larva is refreshingly easy and they are quite prolific. These beetles were found along the Gila River bank in the Arizona desert.