Virtual Exhibit on Canada´s Biodiversity

	Habitat Adults: terrestrial Immatures: terrestrial Feeding Habits Adults: saprophagous Immatures: saprophagous Size: 30 to 40 mm Flight : strong flier North American Species: 3	Coleoptera Passalidae Bess beetles Front Wings: hardened Hind Wings: membranous Mouthparts: chewing Antenna Length: shorter than body Antenna Shape: elbowed Front Legs: unmodified Hind Legs: unmodified Special Characteristics: Bess beetles are elongated, flat and shiny, and have a short horn on the front of the head that points forward.
	Comments: These beetles are found in colonies in decayed logs. The adults prepare the decaying wood with their salivary secretions to feed it to the young. Both the larvae and the adults produce a squeaking sound to communicate with each other. They also produce this sound when disturbed. This is mostly a tropical or subtropical family and there is only one species in eastern Canada.

	Species: Odontotaenius disjunctus (Illiger) Common Name: Patent-leather beetle Feeding Habits: Adults eat decaying wood, and feed pre-chewed food to the larvae. Distribution: Ontario and Quebec. Comments: This species lives in decaying logs in deciduous forests. It measures between 32 and 36 mm in length.