trogossitid - Calitys scabra

Moved

Moved from Calitys.

… Joyce Gross, 30 July, 2009 - 1:51pm

for me, best of trip!

Great catch, Joyce--this is the coolest find of the trip, I think, especially knowing the story of your clever capture of this incredibly cryptic beetle. Staring right at it in your hand, I was barely able to tell it was an insect, and not a chunk of bark.

… Cotinis, 20 July, 2009 - 8:45am

Great shots

of this very neat beetle, love it!

… Lynette Elliott, 15 July, 2009 - 9:00am

gorgeous picture, Joyce

Didn't see this pic at the Gathering. Superb!

… Kevin Hall, 14 July, 2009 - 8:10pm

Calitys -- very nice! [wander whether it's minor or scabra]

will ask around

Moved from Ironclad Beetles.

… v belov, 14 July, 2009 - 3:45pm

oops

that looks like it!

… Joyce Gross, 14 July, 2009 - 3:53pm

from Darren Pollock:

"those are indeed nice little beetles. I actually scooped up quite a few of them a month ago near Santa Fe. The trick, of course, is to be out at night (and in fact, I rarely do serious collecting during daytime anymore...).
...Barron published a revision of the Trogs of North America -- I think back in the 70s -- in the Memoirs of Ent. Soc. Canada. That would be the first place I'd look....
I can't tell one sp. from the other without seeing the key....but you're right - they're cute (for non-tenebrinoids)"

… v belov, 20 July, 2009 - 12:54pm

scabra

I find lots of these in NM too, even in the daytime. This one is Calitys scabra (Thunberg). There is only scabra and minor, and both are in Wash. The prominent sculpturing and the low number of spines along the elytral margin both say definitely C. scabra.

… Rick Buss, 30 July, 2009 - 1:49pm

thanks again, Rick!

it looks like this beetle is much more abundant in America than in Eurasia where it's considered a rarity, and every find is a little sensation -- despite the huuuuge range

… v belov, 30 July, 2009 - 2:46pm

scabra

Thanks Rick!

… Joyce Gross, 30 July, 2009 - 2:00pm