About Eleodes osculans (LeConte, 1851)
Eleodes osculans, commonly known as the wooly darkling beetle or woolly ground beetle, is a common insect found in coastal southern and central California (in wooded areas and chaparral) and in Baja California. It belongs to the stink beetle genus Eleodes, and has an easily observed defensive behavior: it raises its hind end and secretes an unpleasant odor. Adult E. osculans measure between 12 and 16 millimeters in length. It is the only known darkling beetle species that has reddish-brown hair covering most of its black exoskeleton. It is similar in appearance to two related species, Eleodes nigropilosa and Eleodes littoralis, which have darker hair.
