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Bandelier National MonumentPleasing Fungus Beetle Larvae
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Bandelier National Monument
Pleasing Fungus Beetles
Pleasing Fungus Beetle

Photo by Sally King

Pleasing Fungus Beetles eat fungi on dead and downed logs.

Pleasing Fungus Beetles are common within the park especially at higher, wetter elevations.  Several species occur here, the most common is blue with black spots.  Pleasing fungus beetles feed on fungi and are most commonly found on rotting, downed logs.
 
Pleasing Fungus Beetle larvae

Photo by Sally King

The larva stage for Pleasing Fungus Beetle usually lasts only a few days.

During some years Pleasing Fungus Beetles are extremely common and found throughout the park in large numbers. In other years, one must seek them out in areas with abundant moisture and rotting vegetative material.

The fungus favored by Pleasing Fungus Beetles is edible to humans but is not frequently consumed in this part of the world. Some of the fungus eaten by the beetles is potentially harmful to the host plant so the beetles could be seen as beneficial.

Black-chinned Hummingbird chicks in nest  

Did You Know?
Hummingbirds use a combination of plant material, lichens, and moss held together by spider webs to make a flexible nest. This nest can expand to meet the needs of the growing chicks.

Last Updated: September 28, 2009 at 16:35 EST