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Bess BeetlesStump Borer?
My son unearthed a big pile of these large beetles and their extra-large larvae near our woodpile. The closest I can come is the hardwood stump beetle. Is that what these are? They are about 1.5″ long. The larvae is probably 2 inches or more. Forgot to mention in my stump borer email that I am in Maryland.
Laura Brader
Hi Laura,
We are so excited to get your photos. These are Bess Bugs, beetles in the family Passalidae. They are also known as Bess Beetles, Betsy Beetles and Patent Leather Beetles. The only species in the U.S. is also called the Horned Passalid, Odontotaenius disjunctus. Adults eat decaying wood and they care for the grubs by feeding them pre-chewed wood. Both the adults and grubs are capable of making squeeking noises. These are social beetles, and they live in colonies with the adults caring for the young.
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