beetle - Collops quadriguttatus

Moved tentatively per Dr Mayor's comment

Moved from Collops.

… v belov, 7 December, 2009 - 4:44pm

thanks Adriean...

..for the detailed information about this genus.

Also, when I saw your subject I realized I entered the wrong county and have fixed that -- Contra Costa is the neighboring county to the one I originally entered.

Moved from Soft-winged Flower Beetles.

… Joyce Gross, 28 July, 2007 - 2:24am

Melyridae? Beetle from Alameda County, California, USA.

This is a female Collops. The flattened shape is different from most Collops. The critical point for the ID is the number of antennal segments (apparently 10). There are really 11, but the second is reduced and hidden in the apex of the first antennal segment. This can be clearly seen in the second (dorsal view) image. For females, the somewhat triangular shape of the 2nd (really the 3rd) antennal segment is also a good clue. Based on the size (5-6mm), I would guess that it is Collops quadriguttatus Champion, or something close, but there is no way to be sure without seeing a male.

… Adriean Mayor, 26 July, 2007 - 10:57am

Right again:-)

This one looks like something in the genus Anthocomus.

… Eric R. Eaton, 7 November, 2005 - 3:09pm

Anthocomus

I couldn't find my beetle under Melyridae at Essig. Also there are no Anthocomus species at all at Essig.

Nearctica.com lists only two species:
Anthocomus longicollis Motschulsky 1859 (Charopus)
Anthocomus moerens LeConte 1859 (Charopus)

My beetle does look similar to other Anthocomus species that come up when doing a google images search... but as of right now I can't find photos anywhere of either of the N. American species.

… Joyce Gross, 18 November, 2005 - 4:07am