Tule Beetle

Typically found in alkali flats, salt marshes, and near saline water bodies in the western United States.

They are generalist scavengers or predators, often feeding on small invertebrates, fungi, or organic debris found in their saline environments.

They are frequently attracted to artificial lights at night, which is likely why this specimen is on a glass surface near an outdoor light. They are fast runners and are adapted to harsh, salty conditions.

They pose no risk to humans or pets. They are beneficial to the ecosystem as decomposers and a food source for larger predators in specialized saline habitats.