Black secretions from dynastid larvae mouth?

charx53

Tenebrio
Ello all. I was curious if anyone who has dynastids has experienced a black substance coming from the mouth of the larvae?

Ever since I began the beetle hobby I only noticed some had this happen and did not really think too much about it until majoring in Medical Laboratory Sciences so now I am curious/concerned it could be something not good?

This has particularly occurred with D. granti, D. tityus, and D. hercules hercules that I noticed. Doesn't seem to be all, though, not sure. Any ideas would be helpful! Thanks.

 
It is called defense mechanism, not an issue or a harm to humans and/or to the beetle larvae. You know how mammals growl, right? it is basically the same thing. This can occur from all species, but may not be seen from every individual larvae, because it is being triggered when the larvae felt mechanical disturbance. The "black secretion" contains a chemical substance originated from food sources, meaning all has different substances.

 
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