| Eleodes gigantea | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Coleoptera |
| Suborder: | Polyphaga |
| Infraorder: | Cucujiformia |
| Family: | Tenebrionidae |
| Genus: | Eleodes |
| Species: | E. gigantea |
| Binomial name | |
| Eleodes gigantea Mannerheim, 1843 | |
Eleodes gigantea is a species of desert stink beetle or darkling beetle [1] in the family Tenebrionidae. [2] [3] [4] They can be found from San Francisco, California down to Tijuana, Mexico, however, they are more typically located in the lower half of California from Santa Cruz to San Diego. [5]
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They typically have a smooth black elytron and like other species of Eleodes , when frightened they secrete benzoquinone [6] and upturn their bodies to spray it. The secretion is orange in color and has a strong odor that causes the eyes to water. [7]
Eleodes gigantea meridionalis have been found in the La Brea Tar Pits [8] and some of the earliest reports of the species date back to 1918. [5] They are most active during sundown. [7]
