Bloody-nosed beetle  (Timarcha tenebricosa)

Learn about the scientific name of this species and how it fits into the tree of life at Nature Navigator.

Biology

This species tends to be active at night, and spends the day hidden in moss or beneath stones (2). Adults are seen between April and June (3). They feed on bedstraws (plants belonging to the genus Galium) (2).

The extraordinary defensive behaviour in which drops of foul-tasting red liquid are released from the mouth serves to deter potential bird predators from eating one of these beetles (2).

left