Florida Bess Beetle - Odontotaenius floridanus

This species is well known for its glossy black coloration and distinctive subsocial behavior. Larvae develop within decaying hardwood logs, where both parents actively participate in caring for the brood by maintaining tunnels and provisioning chewed wood. Adults are robust and uniformly black, with strong mandibles used more for wood processing than combat. Unlike many passalid beetles, this species is often active and vocal, producing audible stridulation when disturbed, making it especially engaging to observe for both collectors and keepers.

This is not the average bess beetle, O.floridanus is only found in a few counties in Florida, with specimens being rare even in museum collections!