Species Eleodes suturalis

Eleodes suturalis (Say 1824)

22-27 mm(1)

c. US (SD to TX and e.AZ) - Map (2)(3)

Common in sandy wild lands, but also on agricultural crops(1)(4)

Say's description of his first encounter with this beetle:

"...the party arrived at the village of the Konza [Kansas] Indians, hungry, fatigued, and out of health. Commiserating our situation, these sons of nature, although suffering under the injustice of white people, received us with their characteristic hospitality, and ameliorated our condition by the luxuries of repletion and repose. Whilst sitting in the large earth-covered dwelling of the principal chief, in presence of several hundred of his people, assembled to view the arms, equipments, and appearance of the party, I enjoyed the additional gratification to see an individual of this fine species of Blaps running towards us from the feet of the crowd. The act of empaling this unlucky fugitive at once conferred upon me the respectful and mystic title of "medicine man," from the superstitious faith of that simple people." (Say 1828)