# California Broad-necked Darkling Beetle (*Coelocnemis dilaticollis*) The California Broad-necked Darkling Beetle is a shiny black beetle with a broad neck. It loves to hide under rocks and in leaf litter, making it a little treasure to find in nature! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 2 - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![California Broad-necked Darkling Beetle](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Coelocnemis_dilaticollis_-_inat_3692827.jpg&width=800) Photo: J Brew Depicted place : Wyoming, United States ( 44°41′31″N 110°44′20″W / 44.691957°N 110.738873°W / 44.691957; -110.738873 ), CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Coelocnemis_dilaticollis_-_inat_3692827.jpg) ## Appearance The California Broad-necked Darkling Beetle is a robust, matte black insect with a distinctly wide, flattened prothorax (neck-like segment). Its elytra (wing covers) are fused and often have a granular or subtly ridged texture, giving it a rough appearance compared to smoother beetles. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Coleoptera - **Family:** Tenebrionidae - **Genus:** Coelocnemis ## Interesting facts - Some darkling beetles are farmed to become mealworms for pets. - Their tough armor lets them survive being stepped on by small animals! - These beetles can stand on their heads to scare away predators! - They use their long antennae to feel their way around in the dark. ## Special abilities - **Iron Armor:** California Broad-necked Darkling Beetle has a super hard exoskeleton that helps them protect their soft body from being crushed. - **Desert Drinker:** California Broad-necked Darkling Beetle can absorb moisture directly from humid air or fog, helping them survive dry environments. - **Leaf Litter Lifter:** California Broad-necked Darkling Beetle helps decompose dead plants and wood because of special digestive enzymes that break down tough materials. ## Measurements & details - **Size:** 15-25 mm - **Lifespan:** 365-730 days - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding They are nature's recyclers, munching on dead plants and wood. - **Primary Foods:** Decaying leaves, Rotting wood, Fungi, Dead plant matter - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Deer Mouse](https://www.snappit.app/explore/deer-mouse) (*Peromyscus maniculatus*) — A common meal for hungry mice. - **Eaten by:** [Southern Alligator Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/southern-alligator-lizard) (*Elgaria multicarinata*) — Lizards find them a crunchy snack. - **Eaten by:** [Acorn Woodpecker](https://www.snappit.app/explore/acorn-woodpecker) (*Melanerpes formicivorus*) — Woodpeckers seek them under bark. - **Depends on:** [Coast Live Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/coast-live-oak) (*Quercus agrifolia*) — Relies on fallen oak leaves. ## 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. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. - [Armored](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/armored): Armored describes animals protected by a hard, external covering or shell for defense. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Be gentle if you find one, and always wash your hands after touching bugs. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify California Broad-necked Darkling 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 California Broad-necked Darkling Beetle? 15-25 mm ### How long does California Broad-necked Darkling Beetle live? 365-730 days ### What does California Broad-necked Darkling Beetle eat? They are nature's recyclers, munching on dead plants and wood. ### Where is California Broad-necked Darkling Beetle usually found? Grasslands ### How does California Broad-necked Darkling Beetle hunt? Foraging ### How many legs does California Broad-necked Darkling Beetle have? 6 ## Where to spot - [Fort George Wright](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/fort-george-wright) — Washington, US · Historic Site - [Nevada City Downtown Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/nevada-city-downtown-historic-district) — California, US · Historic District - [Sooke Mountain Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/sooke-mountain-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park [View all places to see California Broad-necked Darkling Beetle](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/california-broad-necked-darkling-beetle) ## 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*) --- Source: [California Broad-necked Darkling Beetle Facts — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-broad-necked-darkling-beetle)