I photographed this Horned Passalus Beetle With Mites near the Ouachita National Forest here in Arkansas.
The Horned Passalus Beetle is a species of beetles found in North America, also known as Bessbugs. They belong to the family Passalidae and are known for their large size and distinct horns. They are decomposers, feeding on dead and decaying wood, and play an important role in maintaining the balance of forest ecosystems.
The Horned Passalus beetle (also known as the Bessbug) is a type of beetle that is known to carry mites on its body. Mites are small arthropods that often feed on insects or other organic matter. It is not uncommon for insects like the Horned Passalus beetle to have mites living on or around them, as mites are opportunistic and will attach themselves to a host in search of food and shelter. In the case of the Horned Passalus beetle, the mites likely feed on fungi growing in the beetle’s nest or on organic matter within the nest.
Gear Used:
- Camera: Canon EOS R5
- Lens: RF100-500 mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM
Technical:
- Location: Near The Ouachita National Forest (Arkansas)
- Date and Time Taken: July 3, 2022 (05:50 P. M.)
- Exposure Mode: Manual
- Aperture: f8
- Shutter speed: 1/2500
- ISO: 1250 (Auto)
- White Balance: Auto
- Metering Mode: Evaluative
- Back-button Focus
- Animal Eye Single Point Auto Focus
- Exposure Compensation: 0
- Focal Length: 500 mm