Class Insecta, Order Coleoptera, Family Passalidae
Common Name: Bess Beetles
Other Names: Betsy beetles, bessbugs, patent leather beetles
How Big Are They?: Adults are about 1 ½ inches (4 cm) long
Good Things They Do: Recycle rotting wood. Both the adults and their babies (larvae) live in rotting wood. Adults prepare wood for the larvae by chewing on it first.
Interesting Things They Do: Make 14 different “squeaking” noises
Image Herbert A. 'Joe' Pase III, Texas Forest Service, Bugwood.org
