Diet

• Adults: Primarily associated with fungi, decaying plant material and other organic matter. Some species may also feed on plant tissues or material associated with dead wood.

• Larvae: Develop in decaying wood, under bark or in other decomposing organic material.

Range

• Tarpela is a genus of darkling beetles (Tenebrionidae) in the subfamily Tenebrioninae, tribe Helopini.

• The genus occurs primarily in North and Central America, with several species recorded from Mexico.

• It is occasionally sighted in Zihua. Species associated with the Pacific-slope dry forests of Mexico make the genus relevant to the local beetle fauna.

Habitat

• Associated with tropical dry forest, tropical deciduous forest, woodland and areas containing dead or decaying wood.

• Adults may be encountered under loose bark, on tree trunks, fallen logs and among leaf litter.

• Around Zihua, searching dead branches, fallen trunks and sheltered areas beneath bark, particularly during humid weather, offers the best opportunity to encounter them.

• Some species may also be attracted to lights at night.

Size

• Adult length: generally approximately 8–18 mm (0.3–0.7 in), depending on species.

• Body generally elongate, robust and somewhat flattened.

• Colouration is commonly dark brown or black, although some species have reddish, bronze or subtly metallic surfaces.