Bess beetles, also called horned passalus beetles (Odontotaenius disjunctus).
Justin Ballew, ©2023, Clemson Extension
These beetles were found under a decaying log in the woods. They are bess beetles, also called horned passalus beetles (Odontotaenius disjunctus). These beneficial beetles feed on decaying wood, helping it break down further, which explains why they were found under a decaying log. When disturbed, bess beetles make a low squeaking sound through a process known as stridulation. Stridulation is the same process that crickets and katydids use to chirp, in which two body parts are rubbed together. To learn more, keep reading here.
