[1] They are endemic to western North America ranging from southern Canada to central Mexico with many species found along the Mexico-United States border.

The name pinacate is Mexican Spanish, derived from the Nahuatl (Aztec) name for the insect, pinacatl, which translates as "black beetle".

Every night when these beetles scavenge for food they pick a new shelter for the day which if not suitable for protection against the elements, will be abandoned in search of a new one.

[10] One subgenus, Caverneleodes, lives exclusively in caves, cave-like environments, or rock crevices, these beetles have reduced eyes and only leave their hideouts to scavenge for food.

[11] Beetles within Eleodes and other genera within Tenebrionidae exude a foul smelling odor and a very distasteful liquid from glands to ward off predators.

While this defense is generally effective in deterring predators, they are still preyed upon by many species, such as owls, foxes, coyotes, skunks, bats, turtles, etc.

[13] Eleodes split off from the rest of Amphidorini at least 8 to 15 million years ago in the Miocene, although this estimate is likely on the lower side due to low taxon sampling.