Beetles

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Bark Beetles are small wood-boring insects that live and reproduce beneath the bark of trees. While many species naturally help break down dead and dying trees, some bark beetles can become serious pests when they attack stressed, weakened, or drought-affected trees.

In Texas, bark beetles are most commonly associated with pine tree decline, especially during periods of drought, storm damage, or other environmental stress.

• Loblolly Pine
• Shortleaf Pine
• Slash Pine
• Longleaf Pine
• Ponderosa Pine
• Other conifer species

Bark beetles are typically:

• Very small (about 1/16 to 1/4 inch long)
• Brown, black, or reddish-brown
• Cylindrical in shape
• Difficult to see without close inspection

Most damage is caused by the larvae feeding beneath the bark.

Common indicators include:

• Small round holes in the bark
• Sawdust-like material on the trunk or ground
• Resin or pitch tubes on the bark
• Peeling or loose bark
• Yellowing needles
• Browning foliage
• Thinning canopy
• Woodpecker activity on the trunk

Trees often show symptoms from the top down as water movement becomes disrupted.

Adult beetles tunnel beneath the bark and lay eggs. The larvae then create feeding galleries that interrupt the flow of water and nutrients between the roots and canopy.

Heavy infestations can:

• Weaken trees
• Cause branch dieback
• Reduce growth
• Kill entire trees

Some bark beetles also introduce fungi that contribute to tree decline.

One of the most destructive forest pests in the southeastern United States.

Symptoms:

• Pitch tubes
• Rapid needle discoloration
• Tree mortality

Frequently attack drought-stressed or storm-damaged pines.

Symptoms:

• Reddish-brown needles
• Bark galleries
• Rapid decline

Often attacks the lower portion of pine trunks.

Symptoms:

• Large pitch tubes
• Reduced vigor
• Slow decline

Bark beetles are attracted to:

• Drought stress
• Storm damage
• Lightning strikes
• Construction injury
• Soil compaction
• Disease
• Recently cut or damaged trees

Healthy trees can often defend themselves by producing resin that pushes beetles out.

• Water trees during extended drought
• Avoid damaging roots and trunks
• Remove severely infested trees promptly
• Clean up storm debris
• Maintain proper mulch rings
• Monitor pines regularly for early signs of attack

Bark beetle infestations can spread quickly and may kill trees before symptoms become obvious. Identifying infestations early can help reduce losses and protect nearby trees from attack.

At CBM Tree Service, tree health assessments can help identify bark beetle activity, evaluate tree condition, and provide recommendations to help protect valuable trees throughout Texas. 

Ips Engraver Beetles are a group of bark beetles that commonly attack pine trees throughout Texas. Their name comes from the distinctive engraved-looking galleries they create beneath the bark as they tunnel and reproduce.

These beetles are considered secondary pests, meaning they typically attack trees that are already stressed by drought, storm damage, construction injury, lightning strikes, or other environmental factors. However, large populations can sometimes overwhelm and kill otherwise healthy trees.

• Loblolly Pine
• Shortleaf Pine
• Slash Pine
• Longleaf Pine
• Virginia Pine
• Other pine species

Adult beetles are:

• Small, usually 1/8 to 1/4 inch long
• Brown to dark reddish-brown
• Cylindrical in shape
• Equipped with a scooped-out rear end lined with small spines

Most damage occurs beneath the bark where the beetles live and reproduce.

Common indicators include:

• Small holes in the bark
• Fine sawdust (frass) around the trunk
• Peeling bark
• Yellowing needles
• Needles turning reddish-brown
• Thinning canopy
• Woodpecker activity
• Branch dieback

Infested trees often show discoloration beginning in the upper canopy.

Adult beetles bore through the bark and create tunnels where they lay eggs.

The larvae then:

• Feed beneath the bark
• Create characteristic engraving-like galleries
• Disrupt water and nutrient transport
• Weaken the tree

Heavy infestations can eventually kill the tree.

Ips beetles are attracted to:

• Drought-stressed trees
• Lightning-damaged trees
• Storm-damaged pines
• Freshly cut pine logs
• Construction-damaged roots
• Fire-damaged trees
• Trees weakened by disease

Healthy pines often defend themselves by producing resin that helps push beetles out.

One of the most recognizable signs is the gallery pattern beneath the bark.

These galleries often appear as:

• Y-shaped or star-shaped tunnels
• Etched patterns in the wood
• Egg galleries radiating outward from a central chamber

These markings give the beetles their "engraver" name.

Ips beetles can:

• Kill weakened pine trees
• Spread rapidly during drought conditions
• Increase fire hazards by creating dead trees
• Reduce property aesthetics
• Contribute to forest decline

• Water pines during prolonged drought
• Avoid damaging trunks and roots
• Remove storm-damaged pine material promptly
• Dispose of freshly cut pine debris quickly
• Maintain overall tree health
• Monitor pine trees regularly

Trees caught early may survive if infestations are light and tree health improves. However, heavily infested trees often decline rapidly and may require removal to reduce beetle populations.

Ips Engraver Beetles can complete multiple generations each year in Texas. Early identification of symptoms can help prevent the loss of valuable pine trees and reduce the risk of infestations spreading to nearby trees.

At CBM Tree Service, tree health assessments can help identify Ips Engraver Beetle activity, evaluate tree condition, and provide recommendations to help protect valuable pine trees throughout Texas. 

The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is a highly destructive invasive beetle that attacks and kills ash trees. Native to Asia, this insect was first discovered in North America in 2002 and has since caused the death of millions of ash trees across the United States.

The beetle's larvae feed beneath the bark, destroying the tree's vascular system and preventing the movement of water and nutrients. Without treatment, most infested ash trees die within a few years.

All native ash species are susceptible, including:

• Green Ash
• White Ash
• Black Ash
• Texas Ash
• Arizona Ash
• Blue Ash

Adult beetles are:

• Metallic emerald-green
• About 1/2 inch long
• Slender and bullet-shaped
• Active during late spring and summer

Larvae are:

• Cream-colored
• Flattened and segmented
• Found beneath the bark

Common indicators include:

• Thinning canopy
• Dieback in upper branches
• Yellowing leaves
• Sprouting shoots along the trunk
• Increased woodpecker activity
• Bark splitting
• D-shaped exit holes
• Progressive canopy decline

Symptoms often begin in the upper canopy before becoming visible throughout the tree.

Adult beetles lay eggs on the bark of ash trees.

After hatching, larvae:

• Tunnel beneath the bark
• Feed on the cambium layer
• Create S-shaped galleries
• Disrupt water and nutrient transport

As damage increases, the tree becomes unable to support healthy growth.

One of the most recognizable signs of Emerald Ash Borer activity is the presence of:

• Small D-shaped exit holes
• Approximately 1/8 inch wide
• Located on trunks and branches

These holes are created when adult beetles emerge from the tree.

Emerald Ash Borers can:

• Kill otherwise healthy ash trees
• Spread rapidly across large areas
• Cause extensive tree loss
• Create hazardous dead trees
• Increase removal costs
• Impact urban forests and landscapes

Untreated infestations are often fatal.

Management options may include:

• Regular inspections
• Early detection monitoring
• Systemic insecticide treatments
• Maintaining overall tree health
• Removal of severely infested trees
• Proper disposal of infested wood

Treatment is often most effective before significant canopy decline occurs.

Emerald Ash Borers can infest a tree for several years before obvious symptoms appear. By the time canopy decline becomes noticeable, extensive internal damage may already exist.

Early identification can help preserve valuable ash trees, reduce hazards, and improve treatment success rates.

At CBM Tree Service, tree health assessments can help identify Emerald Ash Borer activity, evaluate tree condition, and provide recommendations to help protect valuable ash trees throughout Texas. 

The Redheaded Ash Borer (Neoclytus acuminatus) is a native longhorned beetle found throughout Texas and much of North America. Despite its name, it is not limited to ash trees and can be found in a variety of hardwood species. The beetle is best known for its reddish head and yellow-striped black body, which can resemble a wasp.

Unlike highly destructive invasive pests such as the Emerald Ash Borer, Redheaded Ash Borers typically attack stressed, injured, dying, or recently dead trees rather than healthy trees.

• Ash
• Oak
• Elm
• Hickory
• Pecan
• Cottonwood
• Maple
• Hackberry
• Other hardwood species

Adult beetles are:

• About 1/2 to 3/4 inch long
• Black with yellow bands across the wings
• Reddish-orange head and thorax
• Long antennae
• Wasp-like in appearance

Larvae are:

• Cream-colored
• Legless
• Wood-boring grubs

Common indicators include:

• Round exit holes in bark
• Sawdust-like frass
• Wood tunnels beneath the bark
• Branch dieback
• Declining tree vigor
• Increased woodpecker activity
• Structural weakening in dead wood

Most damage occurs inside the wood where larvae develop.

Adult females lay eggs in bark crevices or wounds.

After hatching, larvae:

• Tunnel into wood
• Feed beneath the bark
• Create galleries in sapwood
• Weaken branches and trunks

Because they usually attack weakened trees, they are often considered secondary pests.

Redheaded Ash Borers are attracted to:

• Drought-stressed trees
• Storm-damaged trees
• Recently cut firewood
• Dead or dying branches
• Construction injuries
• Trees weakened by disease

Healthy trees are generally less susceptible.

Redheaded Ash Borers can:

• Accelerate decline in weakened trees
• Reduce lumber quality
• Create structural defects in wood
• Contribute to branch failure

However, they also play a beneficial ecological role by helping decompose dead and declining trees.

• Maintain proper tree health
• Water during extended drought periods
• Avoid damaging bark and roots
• Remove dead or severely damaged limbs
• Store firewood away from healthy trees
• Monitor stressed trees regularly

If the tree is otherwise healthy, light infestations may not cause serious long-term problems. Trees already suffering from drought, disease, or extensive damage are more likely to experience decline.

The presence of Redheaded Ash Borers often indicates that a tree is already under stress. Identifying infestations early can help property owners address underlying tree health issues before significant decline occurs.

At CBM Tree Service, tree health assessments can help identify Redheaded Ash Borer activity, evaluate overall tree condition, and provide recommendations to help protect valuable trees throughout Texas. 

Pine Sawyer Beetles are large longhorned beetles in the genus Monochamus that are commonly found in pine forests throughout Texas. They are best known for their extremely long antennae and their habit of laying eggs in weakened, dying, or recently dead pine trees.

Unlike some bark beetles that attack healthy trees, Pine Sawyer Beetles are generally considered secondary pests, meaning they usually infest trees that are already stressed or damaged.

• Loblolly Pine
• Shortleaf Pine
• Slash Pine
• Longleaf Pine
• Virginia Pine
• Other pine species

Adult beetles are:

• Large, often ¾ to 1½ inches long
• Gray, brown, or black with mottled patterns
• Equipped with very long antennae
• Active during spring and summer

Larvae are:

• Cream-colored
• Legless
• Wood-boring grubs found beneath the bark and in wood

Common indicators include:

• Large round exit holes in bark
• Sawdust-like frass
• Tunnels beneath the bark
• Wood galleries inside trunks
• Branch dieback
• Declining tree vigor
• Increased woodpecker activity

Most infestations occur after a tree has already been weakened.

Adult females lay eggs in bark crevices.

After hatching, larvae:

• Tunnel beneath the bark
• Feed on wood tissues
• Create galleries in sapwood
• Weaken branches and trunks

Heavy infestations can reduce lumber quality and weaken tree structure.

Pine Sawyer Beetles are attracted to:

• Drought-stressed trees
• Storm-damaged pines
• Fire-damaged trees
• Lightning-struck trees
• Recently cut logs
• Dead or dying trees

Healthy pine trees are usually less attractive to these beetles.

They can:

• Accelerate decomposition of dead trees
• Reduce timber value
• Weaken damaged trees
• Create structural defects in wood

They also play a beneficial ecological role by helping recycle dead wood in forest ecosystems.

In some regions, Pine Sawyer Beetles can carry the pinewood nematode, a microscopic organism that causes Pine Wilt Disease. The beetles may transport the nematode from infected trees to healthy pines during feeding.

• Maintain tree health during drought
• Remove severely damaged trees promptly
• Avoid unnecessary trunk injuries
• Properly dispose of storm-damaged pine material
• Monitor stressed pines regularly
• Inspect recently damaged trees for signs of infestation

Because Pine Sawyer Beetles usually attack weakened trees, improving tree health may help prevent infestations. However, trees already suffering severe decline may continue to deteriorate.

The presence of Pine Sawyer Beetles often signals that a pine tree is experiencing stress or decline. Identifying infestations early can help property owners address underlying problems and reduce the risk of further damage.

At CBM Tree Service, tree health assessments can help identify Pine Sawyer Beetle activity, evaluate tree condition, and provide recommendations to help protect valuable pine trees throughout Texas. 

Lady beetles, commonly known as ladybugs or ladybird beetles, are among the most beneficial insects found in Texas landscapes. These colorful beetles are natural predators that help control many common garden and tree pests, making them valuable allies for homeowners, gardeners, and tree care professionals.

Most lady beetle species are considered beneficial because both the adults and larvae feed on harmful plant-feeding insects.

Lady beetles are frequently seen on:

• Live Oak
• Pecan
• Crape Myrtle
• Elm
• Maple
• Fruit Trees
• Roses
• Vegetable Gardens
• Native Wildflowers
• Ornamental Shrubs

Adult lady beetles are typically:

• Round or oval-shaped
• About 1/8 to 3/8 inch long
• Red, orange, yellow, pink, or black
• Often covered with black spots

Not all lady beetles have the classic red-and-black appearance.

The larvae look very different from adults and are often mistaken for pests.

Larvae are:

• Elongated and alligator-like
• Black, gray, or dark blue
• Marked with orange or yellow spots
• Fast-moving predators

Lady beetles feed on many common pests, including:

• Aphids
• Scale insects
• Mealybugs
• Whiteflies
• Mites
• Insect eggs

A single lady beetle can consume dozens of aphids in a day.

Lady beetles help:

• Reduce pest populations naturally
• Protect trees and garden plants
• Minimize the need for insecticides
• Support healthy ecosystems
• Improve plant vigor

They are considered one of nature's most effective forms of biological pest control.

You may notice:

• Fewer aphids on leaves
• Reduced honeydew buildup
• Less sooty mold development
• Healthier new plant growth
• Increased beneficial insect activity

Some species gather together during cooler months to:

• Seek shelter
• Survive winter conditions
• Conserve moisture
• Protect themselves from predators

Occasionally they may be found on buildings, windows, or inside homes.

To attract and support lady beetles:

• Plant native flowering plants
• Reduce unnecessary pesticide use
• Maintain plant diversity
• Leave some natural habitat areas
• Encourage beneficial insects in the landscape

Lady beetles play an important role in managing aphids and other pests that commonly affect Texas trees and landscapes. Their presence is often a sign of a healthy, balanced ecosystem.

Many people mistakenly identify lady beetle larvae as harmful insects and remove them. Recognizing both the adult and larval stages can help preserve these beneficial predators and improve natural pest control throughout the landscape. 

Dung Beetles are beneficial insects that play an important role in Texas ecosystems by feeding on and burying animal manure. These beetles help recycle nutrients, improve soil health, reduce pest populations, and support healthy grasslands, ranches, and wildlife habitats.

Texas is home to dozens of dung beetle species that can be found in pastures, rangelands, forests, and natural areas throughout the state.

Dung beetles are commonly found in:

• Cattle pastures
• Horse pastures
• Ranchlands
• Grasslands
• Wildlife habitats
• Forest edges
• Agricultural areas

They are especially abundant where grazing animals are present.

Adult dung beetles are typically:

• Black, brown, bronze, or metallic green
• Rounded or oval-shaped
• Strong-bodied
• About ¼ inch to over 1 inch long
• Equipped with powerful legs for digging and rolling dung

Some species have impressive horns used in competition and mating.

Dung beetles feed primarily on:

• Cattle manure
• Horse manure
• Deer droppings
• Wildlife scat
• Other animal waste

Both adults and larvae rely on dung as a food source.

These beetles form dung into balls and roll them away for feeding or egg-laying.

Tunnelers bury dung directly beneath the manure pile.

Dwellers live and reproduce within the dung itself.

Dung beetles provide many ecological benefits:

• Recycle nutrients into the soil
• Improve soil aeration
• Increase water infiltration
• Reduce manure buildup
• Help control flies
• Reduce parasite populations
• Improve pasture health

Their activity helps maintain healthier ecosystems and grazing lands.

By burying manure, dung beetles can:

• Reduce fly breeding sites
• Improve forage growth
• Increase soil fertility
• Decrease pasture contamination
• Enhance nutrient cycling

Many ranchers consider them valuable natural helpers.

No. Dung beetles are generally harmless to:

• People
• Pets
• Trees
• Gardens
• Livestock

They do not attack healthy plants or bore into wood.

To support dung beetle populations:

• Reduce unnecessary insecticide use
• Maintain healthy pasture ecosystems
• Preserve natural habitat areas
• Encourage biodiversity
• Avoid excessive disturbance of grazing lands

Dung beetles are essential members of Texas ecosystems. Their ability to recycle organic waste helps improve soil quality, reduce pests, and support productive rangelands and wildlife habitats across the state.

Dung beetles are sometimes mistaken for harmful beetles because of their dark color and association with manure. Recognizing their beneficial role helps promote conservation of these hardworking insects and the valuable ecological services they provide. 

Dung beetles are commonly grouped into three behavioral categories based on how they use animal manure. Each group plays an important role in recycling nutrients, improving soil health, and reducing flies and parasites in Texas pastures and natural ecosystems.

What They Do:
Rollers cut off a portion of fresh dung and shape it into a ball. They then roll the ball away from the original manure pile to bury it in the soil for food or as a nesting site for their larvae.

Key Characteristics:

• Roll dung balls away from the source.
• Bury dung underground for reproduction.
• Often seen pushing balls several times their own size.
• Help spread nutrients across the landscape.

Benefits:

• Reduce manure buildup.
• Improve soil aeration.
• Increase water infiltration.
• Lower fly breeding sites.
• Help control livestock parasites.

What They Do:
Tunnelers dig tunnels directly beneath a fresh manure pile and pull pieces of dung into underground chambers, where they feed and lay eggs.

Key Characteristics:

• Dig vertical tunnels beneath dung.
• Store manure in underground brood chambers.
• Quickly bury large amounts of dung.
• Excellent soil excavators.

Benefits:

• Improve soil structure.
• Increase nutrient cycling.
• Enhance root growth.
• Reduce surface manure.
• Improve pasture productivity.

What They Do:
Unlike rollers and tunnelers, dwellers live and reproduce inside the manure itself. Their larvae develop within the dung without moving or burying it.

Key Characteristics:

• Live entirely within manure.
• Do not roll or bury dung.
• Complete their life cycle inside the manure pat.
• Usually smaller than rollers and tunnelers.

Benefits:

• Speed up manure decomposition.
• Help recycle nutrients.
• Reduce manure volume.
• Support healthy pasture ecosystems.
• Provide food for birds and other wildlife.

Although they use manure differently, all three groups provide valuable ecological services by:

• Recycling nutrients back into the soil
• Improving soil fertility
• Increasing water infiltration
• Reducing manure accumulation
• Helping control flies and internal livestock parasites
• Supporting healthy rangelands and wildlife habitats

Together, rollers, tunnelers, and dwellers form an efficient natural cleanup crew that keeps Texas pastures healthier, more productive, and more environmentally sustainable. Their combined efforts benefit ranchers, wildlife, native plants, and the overall health of Texas ecosystems. 

Decomposer beetles are a group of beneficial insects that help break down dead plants, fallen trees, leaf litter, animal remains, and other organic materials. They play a critical role in Texas ecosystems by recycling nutrients back into the soil and supporting healthy forests, grasslands, and landscapes.

Without decomposer beetles and other decomposers, organic debris would accumulate, and nutrients would not be efficiently returned to the environment.

Decomposer beetles are commonly found in:

• Forests
• Woodlands
• Grasslands
• Gardens
• Mulch beds
• Compost piles
• Fallen logs
• Leaf litter
• Decaying stumps

Many species spend much of their lives hidden beneath bark, underground, or inside decomposing material.

Decomposer beetles vary greatly in appearance, but many are:

• Black, brown, bronze, or metallic
• Oval or elongated in shape
• ¼ inch to over 1 inch long
• Equipped with strong jaws for feeding on organic matter

Different species have evolved to specialize in different types of decaying material.

Depending on the species, decomposer beetles may feed on:

• Dead wood
• Decaying leaves
• Fungi
• Animal remains
• Dung
• Dead insects
• Plant debris

Their feeding activities help accelerate decomposition.

Feed on and bury small animal carcasses.

Help break down dead animals.

Recycle dead and decaying wood.

Process and bury animal manure.

Consume decaying plant material and organic debris.

Decomposer beetles help:

• Recycle nutrients
• Improve soil fertility
• Reduce organic waste accumulation
• Support healthy forests
• Increase biodiversity
• Improve ecosystem health

They are essential members of the natural recycling system.

You may notice:

• Decaying logs breaking down naturally
• Beetles beneath bark or logs
• Activity in compost piles
• Healthy leaf litter decomposition
• Rich, fertile soil development

Most of their work occurs out of sight.

Most decomposer beetles are beneficial and harmless.

They generally:

• Do not damage healthy trees
• Do not harm people or pets
• Support natural ecosystems
• Improve soil conditions

Their presence is usually a sign of a healthy environment.

To encourage decomposer beetles:

• Leave some natural leaf litter in landscape beds
• Maintain mulch around trees
• Preserve fallen logs in natural areas when safe
• Reduce unnecessary pesticide use
• Support native plant habitats
• Encourage overall biodiversity

Texas forests, rangelands, and landscapes rely on decomposer beetles to recycle nutrients and maintain healthy soils. Their work helps support tree growth, plant health, wildlife habitats, and ecosystem resilience across the state.

Many decomposer beetles are mistaken for pests simply because they are found around decaying material. Recognizing their beneficial role can help property owners appreciate these important recyclers and the valuable services they provide. 

Decomposer beetles are nature's recycling crew. They break down dead plants, animals, wood, and animal waste, returning valuable nutrients to the soil. Each group has a unique role in maintaining healthy forests, grasslands, and rangelands across Texas.

What They Do:
Burying beetles locate small dead animals, such as mice, birds, or reptiles, and bury them underground. The buried carcass becomes a food source for both adults and their developing larvae.

Key Characteristics:

• Black with bright orange or red markings
• Strong sense of smell for locating carrion
• Work in pairs to bury carcasses
• Provide parental care to their young

Ecological Benefits:

• Recycle nutrients into the soil
• Reduce the spread of disease
• Remove dead animals from the environment
• Improve soil fertility
• Support healthy wildlife ecosystems

What They Do:
Carrion beetles feed on dead animals in various stages of decomposition. Unlike burying beetles, many species remain on the carcass rather than burying it.

Key Characteristics:

• Usually black or dark gray
• Some have orange or yellow markings
• Excellent sense of smell
• Active scavengers

Ecological Benefits:

• Accelerate decomposition
• Recycle organic matter
• Reduce odors from carcasses
• Help limit disease-causing organisms
• Provide food for other wildlife

What They Do:
These beetles primarily infest dead, dying, or fallen trees. Their larvae tunnel through decaying wood, helping fungi and microorganisms break it down more quickly.

Key Characteristics:

• Larvae develop inside dead wood
• Adults vary in size and appearance
• Common beneath loose bark and inside logs
• Many species are longhorned or bark beetles

Ecological Benefits:

• Break down dead trees
• Return nutrients to forest soils
• Create habitat for birds and other wildlife
• Improve forest regeneration
• Support biodiversity

What They Do:
Dung beetles feed on and bury the manure of grazing animals such as cattle, horses, deer, and other wildlife. Depending on the species, they may roll, bury, or live directly within the dung.

Key Characteristics:

• Strong, rounded bodies
• Powerful digging legs
• Found in grasslands, ranches, and pastures
• Include rollers, tunnelers, and dwellers

Ecological Benefits:

• Improve soil fertility
• Increase water infiltration
• Reduce fly populations
• Lower livestock parasite levels
• Recycle nutrients efficiently

What They Do:
Darkling beetles feed on decaying plant material, fungi, seeds, leaf litter, and other organic debris. They are especially common in dry environments throughout Texas.

Key Characteristics:

• Dark brown or black
• Oval or elongated bodies
• Mostly active at night
• Often found beneath logs, rocks, or leaf litter

Ecological Benefits:

• Break down plant debris
• Improve nutrient cycling
• Support healthy soils
• Help form organic matter (humus)
• Provide food for birds, reptiles, and small mammals

Although each group specializes in a different food source, all decomposer beetles perform essential ecological services that help keep Texas ecosystems healthy.

Together they:

• Recycle nutrients back into the soil
• Improve soil structure and fertility
• Speed the breakdown of organic matter
• Reduce waste accumulation
• Support healthy forests, grasslands, and rangelands
• Create habitats for other wildlife
• Contribute to biodiversity and ecosystem balance

These often-overlooked insects are vital to maintaining productive soils and thriving natural landscapes throughout Texas. By naturally recycling organic material, decomposer beetles help sustain the plants, animals, and ecosystems that depend on healthy, nutrient-rich soil.