Beetle Outbreak?

Question

I am visiting my parents in TIjuana, Mexico (just south of San Diego border). I have been noticing a LOT of beetles everywhere. I haven't seen or heard (TV, newspaper) anything about it, but it's really concerning me. They are eating ladybugs, butterflies, each other! We went to Fox Studios in Rosarito... it was even worse there. Everyobody was talking about how bad it was and how it seemed just a couple of days ago they just seem to "arrive" out of nowhere.

I grew up in this area, and I have seen beetles before, but NEVER like this. This can't be good if they are eating everything in site, including ladybugs. I also wonder if there are recurring to canibalism because that's their normal diet, or because they are starving (I noticed they only eat the dead "squashed" ones.

Answer 1

I'm up in San Diego and they're everywhere here too. Right this second, one beetle is eating its crushed friend next to my chair. I have no idea where they came from or why they're here. It's creepy.

Answer 2

I'm in San Diego too close to Clairemont Mesa. Not only beetles, there are also lots of other kind of bugs that I haven't seen even on the TV. They are kinda running away from something. Scary.... Hate them too.