Black rain beetles are typically found in California, Oregon, and Washington
Just before the CV19 lockdown, I found myself chasing beetles around the southern Californian desert, trying to get photos. So perhaps I was a bit crazy before the lockdown. These black rain beetles are generally associated with the western part of North America (California, Oregon, Washington). I took this photo in the Anza Borrego Desert State Park in California (the largest state park in California).
Black rain beetles reside underground, and emerge when there is rain or snow. Only male black rain beetles can fly. Males fly around the desert ground trying to pick up pheromones released by the female beetles. Then the beetles mate on the surface, or in a nearby burrow. Females then lay their eggs in the burrow. Although it is hard to tell by this photo, this beetle is smaller than a pea.
Did you know? This beetle gets its genus name from the Greek words for “abundant” and “hair”.
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