# Bloody-nosed Beetle (*Timarcha tenebricosa*)

The Bloody-nosed Beetle is a shiny black bug that can squirt a red liquid when it feels scared! This helps it escape from predators. It loves to munch on plants and can be found in gardens and fields.

- **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Grasslands

![Bloody-nosed Beetle](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Chrysomelidae_-_Timarcha_tenebricosa.JPG&width=800)

Photo: Hectonichus, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Chrysomelidae_-_Timarcha_tenebricosa.JPG)

## Appearance

The Bloody-nosed Beetle is a large, stout, flightless beetle, entirely matte black with a granular texture on its wing cases. Its robust, domed body makes it visually distinct from most flying beetles.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Arthropoda
- **Class:** Insecta
- **Order:** Coleoptera
- **Family:** Chrysomelidae
- **Genus:** Timarcha

## Interesting facts

- Its dark black body helps it absorb sunlight to warm up on cool days!
- The special red liquid it squirts is called hemolymph, not real blood, and tastes awful!
- This beetle's wing covers are fused, so it can never fly, even though it's an insect!
- When scared, it can play dead perfectly still for a long time to fool predators!

## Special abilities

- **Red Defense Spray:** The Bloody-nosed Beetle can squirt a bitter, red liquid from its mouth because of special glands that helps them deter predators.
- **Tough Armor Shell:** It has a thick, hard, black exoskeleton that helps protect its body from attacks by birds and other predators.
- **Ground-Level Prowler:** This beetle is flightless and uses strong, sturdy legs to walk slowly, helping it explore low plants and ground cover.

## Measurements & details

- **Size:** 14-20 mm
- **Lifespan:** 365-500 days
- **Leg Count:** 6

## Diet & Feeding

This herbivorous beetle loves munching on plants, especially the leaves and flowers of bedstraw.

- **Primary Foods:** Bedstraw leaves, Bedstraw flowers, Other plant leaves
- **Foraging Method:** Foraging

## Ecological connections

- **Eats:** Lady's Bedstraw (*Galium verum*) — Main food source for larvae and adults.
- **Eats:** Hedge Bedstraw (*Galium album*) — Another preferred food plant.
- **Eaten by:** Blackbird (*Turdus merula*) — May attempt to eat, but often deterred by defense.

## Traits

- [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
- [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment.
- [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
- [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
- [Decomposer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/decomposer): Describes organisms that break down dead organic material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem.
- [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.

## Collections

- [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

It's safe to watch these beetles, but don't touch them too much as they might squirt their juice!

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Bloody-nosed Beetle?

Look for hard wing covers meeting in a line down the back, then compare the antennae, body shape, legs and markings. Metallic colors shift a lot with lighting. Beetle Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How big is Bloody-nosed Beetle?

14-20 mm

### How long does Bloody-nosed Beetle live?

365-500 days

### What does Bloody-nosed Beetle eat?

This herbivorous beetle loves munching on plants, especially the leaves and flowers of bedstraw.

### Where is Bloody-nosed Beetle usually found?

Grasslands

### How does Bloody-nosed Beetle hunt?

Foraging

### How many legs does Bloody-nosed Beetle have?

6

## More Insects

- [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*)
- [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*)
- [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*)
- [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*)

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Source: [Bloody-nosed Beetle: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/bloody-nosed-beetle)