Beetle?? - Megetra punctata

Moved

Moved from Megetra.

… Hartmut Wisch, 13 September, 2008 - 11:26pm

This is probably

Megetra punctata Selander. As far as I can see, the coarsely punctate elytra (rather than the irregularly reticulate elytra of the closely related M. vittata) fit the description for that species.
Note also that the elytra are rounded from top to side, in contrast to a well-defined edge on the other two species.
Locality also works - there are records from Cochise County.

Please wait with moving this to the species page (There's a new one) for now. I'll be looking at series of specimens in Riverside tomorrow.

Do you have any other photos of this beetle?

… Hartmut Wisch, 10 September, 2008 - 6:29pm

Appreciate the identification

Thank you for the ID. Don't have any more photos of this species but will try and get some more the next time I encounter it. Are there any particular details I should shoot for?

… Dave Beaudette, 14 September, 2008 - 4:43pm

Full body dorsal view

that shows the elytra, also a side view (showing the rounded elytral transition from top to side); frontal would also be a nice addition.

There may still be some, since they've been found into September, though August seems to be the main month. You might look for them on Arizona Caltrop (Kallstroemia grandiflora), various prostrate, or low vegetation, including Boerhavia of which there are at least two species in southern AZ.

… Hartmut Wisch, 14 September, 2008 - 7:04pm

Moved

Moved from Blister Beetles.

… john and jane balaban, 8 September, 2008 - 9:04pm

Moved

Moved from Beetles.

… john and jane balaban, 16 August, 2008 - 1:31pm

You are right

it is a Oil beetle, I think genus Meloe

… margarethe brummermann, 29 July, 2008 - 2:19pm

We think this one is Megetra

in the guide here

… john and jane balaban, 29 July, 2008 - 3:40pm