• Tyuonyi Pueblo and Big Kiva from Frey Trail

    Bandelier

    National Monument New Mexico

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  • Access by Shuttle Bus Only

    Starting May 24, 2013 all access to the most visited part of the park, Frijoles Canyon, will be via a mandatory shuttle bus from the nearby community of White Rock from 9 AM - 3 PM daily. Private cars may drive in before 9 AM or after 3 PM. More »

Pleasing Fungus Beetles

Pleasing Fungus Beetle

Pleasing Fungus Beetles eat fungi on dead and downed logs.

Photo by Sally King

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

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

Photo by Sally King

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.

Did You Know?

Western Pygmy Blue butterfly

Western Pygmy Blue butterflies are the smallest butterflies in North America.  They have wingspans of just .5 to .6 inches.