Pinacate beetle facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

This page is about the genus of beetles. For the volcanic range on the Sonora-Arizona border, see Pinacate, California. For California town, see Pinacate Peaks.

Quick facts for kids Pinacate beetle

Eleodes pimelioides
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Coleoptera
Family:	Tenebrionidae
Tribe:	Amphidorini
Genus:	*Eleodes* Eschscholtz, 1829
subgenera
Amphidora Eschscholtz, 1829 Ardeleodes Blaisdell, 1937 Blapylis Horn, 1870 Caverneleodes Triplehorn, 1975 Chaseleodes Thomas, 2015 Cratidus LeConte, 1862 Discogenia LeConte, 1866 Eleodes Eschscholtz, 1829 Heteropromus Blaisdell, 1909 Litheleodes Blaisdell, 1909 Melaneleodes Blaisdell, 1909 Metablapylis Blaisdell, 1909 Omegeleodes Triplehorn & Thomas, 2012 Promus LeConte, 1862 Pseudeleodes Blaisdell, 1909 Tricheleodes Blaisdell, 1909 Xysta Eschscholtz, 1829

Eleodes is a genus of darkling beetles commonly known as pinacate beetles or desert stink beetles. They are endemic to western North America, with many species found in the Sonoran Desert. The name pinacate is Mexican Spanish, derived from the Nahuatl (Aztec) name for the insect, pinacatl, which translates as "black beetle".

The pinacate beetle is noted for its defensive tactic of standing on its head and squirting a noxious spray. This has earned it the additional names of clown bug and stink bug, names also applied to other unrelated insects.

Pinacate beetle facts for kids

See also