What do bess beetles eat?

If you're looking for classroom pets that will be active during school hours, bess beetles might not be the best choice. They do, however, cooperate if you wake them from their naps for a science activity. If you're looking for low maintenance insects, you can't do better than bess beetles. read more

Bess beetles are easygoing, although they do squeak in protest when disturbed. That's what makes them so much fun to keep as pets – they talk! Bess beetles often burrow and hide during the day. read more

Bess beetles inhabit the layer of rotting trees found between the bark and the heart of the tree. They chew the decaying wood but can't digest the cellulose like termites can. A fungus that grows on their fecal matter is consumed to provide their real nourishment. read more

Bess beetles eat poop Like termites and other insects that feed on wood, bess beetles need the help of microorganisms to break down the tough plant fibers. Without these digestive symbionts, they simply couldn't process the cellulose. read more