About Blaps polychresta (Forskl, 1775)
Blaps polychresta (Forskl, 1775), commonly called the Egyptian beetle, South African beetle, or cellar beetle, is a species of darkling beetle belonging to the family Tenebrionidae. It is a popular pet beetle, with a lifespan of up to 4 to 5 years. While this species has been introduced to Australia and America, it is not considered a pest. It is commonly found in chicken coops, where chickens eat it. The species naturally occurs across a range from Syria to Egypt. It was introduced to Australia, specifically Southern Australia and Western Victoria, by European clipper ships that carried grain, and it has also been introduced to Northern America. Blaps polychresta is a herbivore that feeds on residue and organic waste produced by animals such as rodents and birds. The parasite Cystocephalus algerianus infects males of this species, at a rate of 1 infection per 105 examined specimens.
