sphenophorus calandra aequalis discolor. variations - Sphenophorus aequalis

I see no obvious reason to frass such an informative image,

although if you ever re-shoot with better lighting that reveals more color and detail, I could see this one being replaced. I've done the same with other species.

… Jim McClarin, 30 October, 2007 - 8:40pm

… Jim McClarin, 30 October, 2007 - 8:38pm

I assume

that you mean one genus, and not one species? Or are all of these beetles really one species?

… Ken Schneider, 30 October, 2007 - 11:21am

these really are all the same

these really are all the same species, they just have an amazing amount of color variation.

… William Ericson, 30 October, 2007 - 9:04pm

looks like

different amounts of wear on the scale areas.....

… Guy A. Hanley, 30 October, 2007 - 9:15am

what I ment to say are, there

what I ment to say are, there aren't any scales just markings and striations, most of the weevils caught that day had no markings at all, about 45 specimens total were collected.

… William Ericson, 30 October, 2007 - 4:49pm

Lighter markings

are the light markings actually color variations in the chitin itself? I have a series of Notaris bimaculatus that shows a great amount of maculation variance due to the lighter hair/scale areas being worn, with a lot of them not even showing the characteristic spots. Perhaps Boris can chime in on this particular species you have and shove my foot in my mouth... Not trying to be a pain, just curious about this variation you have.

Cheers.

… Guy A. Hanley, 31 October, 2007 - 9:30am

nonsense I love conversation,

nonsense I love conversation, trust me I enjoy this. The white markings are literally in the chitin of the sphenophorus weevil, quite facinating if you ask me, fun to. There are other sphenophorus weevils at the collecting site, but none with such variation.

… William Ericson, 31 October, 2007 - 10:32am

scale areas? there wasn't any

scale areas? there wasn't any wear on the specimens, they litterally are in perfect condition.

… William Ericson, 30 October, 2007 - 9:52am