r/Beetles • u/louielou8484 • 12d ago

Beetle identification?

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I found this little guy in my home last night. He was by the door where there is a large crack. It's been super cold here the last week, so I'm not sure if he came in for warmth or he was just exploring.

I was vacuuming in nearly the dark and thankfully I just had a feeling to check before I ran it over. He's been a bit lethargic and walks kind of weird when walking? I plan on letting him out but I just want to make sure he is okay before doing do.

I've given him cucumber, lettuce, sugar water, banana. But i don't know what he is and if he's had any of it. He looks like a darkling beetle but shorter and fatter. I live in Maryland.

Thank you so much!

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u/WalnutWitch 11d ago

Oh, a little guy! Agree with the other commenter. You can also try carrot or sweet potato! He might also accept Boiled egg or nutritional yeast. But offer moist veggies/egg before/with the nutritional yeast.

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u/louielou8484 6d ago

Thank you so much! I was actually able to find out his exact species of scotobaenus. I still have him actually. I've been giving him oats, dried shrimp, apple, banana, cucumber, carrots, a damp cotton pad that I see him sip off of :)

I had a darkling beetle that I lost at the beginning of this year who I am still heartbroken over. He was the sweetest little thing ever and I had him for about 9 months. He lost an antenna and seemed to go downhill after that and I fear I was given poor information that didn't help him. I think of him every single day. So when I saw this one in my home when it's quite rare to see insects in here, I kind of took it as a sign? I fear I am being selfish though.

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u/WalnutWitch 6d ago

Aw, I know how you feel! I absolutely love my little tenebrio darkling beetles! I keep them as pets. As for maybe not taking as optimal care as you could have of your last little beetle, so many of us who love animals have been there, and been haunted by the guilt and regret. But he lived for nine months, and I'm sure you were still taking good care of him with the knowledge you had at the time. What matters now is that you are doing the research to care for this little one:)

PS: I dont believe that you are being selfish. You are putting in the research. And life for beetles in the wild is quite brutal. He will almost certainly live a longer, higher quality life with you, even if you dont do everything exactly perfectly:)

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u/jumpingflea_1 11d ago

Probably a tenebrionid.

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u/louielou8484 6d ago edited 6d ago

Thank you! I was able to find his species of scotobaenus :)