Darkling Beetles

Additional Insect Resources Ground Beetle Types of Beetles Types of Insects

With well over one thousand Darkling Beetle species (Family Tenebrionidae) in the United States, identifying any species can be difficult.

Generally the family gets its name based on the beetle's dark black or brown wings. The wings are fused, making them ground bound, a perfect environment for their food, dead or dying plant material.

They are medium sized beetles, with a few species measuring up to two inches. Larger ones, like the species in the top picture look similar to ground beetles.

Often the shape of the antennae and legs are used to distinguish between darkling and ground beetles, see the ground beetle picture for a comparison.

Darkling larvae, mealworms, can be agriculture pests because they feed on grains.

© 2009 Patricia A. Michaels