# Eleodes longicollis

The Eleodes longicollis, also known as the long-necked darkling beetle, is a shiny black bug with a long neck! It loves to hide under rocks and leaves, making it a fun little creature to find in nature.

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

![Eleodes longicollis](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Eleodes_longicollis.jpg&width=800)

Photo: Katja Schulz, CC BY 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Eleodes_longicollis.jpg)

## Appearance

The Eleodes longicollis is a medium-sized, entirely dull black beetle with an elongated, somewhat flattened body. Its most distinctive feature is a proportionally long, slender segment behind its head (prothorax), giving it a 'long-necked' appearance. It has a tough, textured exoskeleton and stout legs, differing from shinier or more colorful beetles.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Arthropoda
- **Class:** Insecta
- **Order:** Coleoptera
- **Family:** Tenebrionidae
- **Genus:** Eleodes

## Interesting facts

- Its 'long neck' isn't really a neck; it's a special part of its body called the prothorax!
- These tough beetles can survive in very dry deserts by getting most of their water from food!
- They can squirt a stinky chemical up to several inches away to scare off predators!
- When threatened, this beetle does a headstand, pointing its rear end at danger!

## Special abilities

- **Head-stand Defense:** Eleodes longicollis can perform a 'head-stand' because it raises its rear end, which helps them warn off attackers before releasing chemicals.
- **Armored Body:** Eleodes longicollis has an extremely hard exoskeleton that helps them resist physical attacks from birds and other hungry animals.

## Measurements & details

- **Size:** 15-25 mm
- **Lifespan:** 365-730 days
- **Leg Count:** 6

## Diet & Feeding

This beetle is a cleanup crew member, munching on dead plants, seeds, and fungi.

- **Primary Foods:** Decaying plant matter, Seeds, Fungi, Carrion
- **Foraging Method:** Foraging

## Ecological connections

- **Eaten by:** [Burrowing Owl](https://www.snappit.app/explore/burrowing-owl) (*Athene cunicularia*) — A common desert bird that preys on insects.
- **Eaten by:** [Deer Mouse](https://www.snappit.app/explore/deer-mouse) (*Peromyscus maniculatus*) — A nocturnal rodent that forages for beetles and other insects.
- **Eaten by:** Desert Horned Lizard (*Phrynosoma platyrhinos*) — Lizards often include slow-moving beetles in their diet.

## 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.
- [Scavenger](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/scavenger): Scavengers consume dead organic matter, helping to decompose carcasses and other waste in the ecosystem.
- [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.
- [Miniature](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/miniature): Pertaining to species that are significantly smaller than typical or average for their kind.
- [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

Always look but don't touch insects unless you know they are safe!

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Eleodes longicollis?

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 Eleodes longicollis?

15-25 mm

### How long does Eleodes longicollis live?

365-730 days

### What does Eleodes longicollis eat?

This beetle is a cleanup crew member, munching on dead plants, seeds, and fungi.

### Where is Eleodes longicollis usually found?

Grasslands

### How does Eleodes longicollis hunt?

Foraging

### How many legs does Eleodes longicollis have?

6

## Where to spot

- [Chaco Culture National Historical Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/chaco-culture-national-historical-park) — New Mexico, US · National Park
- [Living Desert Zoo and Gardens State Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/living-desert-zoo-and-gardens-state-park) — New Mexico, US · Botanical Garden

## 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: [Eleodes longicollis: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eleodes-longicollis)