Beetles are very common worldwide (including central Illinois). Therefore, we continue focusing on the order Coleoptera (beetles). Our insect of the week is Bolitotherus cornutus (a member of the beetle family Tenebrionidae). This species was described by the German physician and entomologist Panzer in 1794. The specimen depicted in these photographs was collected by our former member, Gordon Adams, in 1962 (Peoria Co.). The common name for this insect is the horned fungus beetle. All life stages are associated with the shelf fungus (Ganoderma). This beetle species is sexually dimorphic (males have two pairs of horns; females lack these horns). Although adults are most active at night, they are frequently found on the underside of the fungus. These beetles hibernate through the winter months in central Illinois. The fungus is necessary for beetle reproduction.

Fun fact – these beetles are able to detect the breath of mammals (which try to feed on them), and produce a volatile gas to repel these predators.

In addition to the dorsal view shown in our featured image, a lateral view of the male is shown below (followed by the frontal view of the head of the same male).