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Photo#424850
Rainbow Beetle? - Phanaeus vindex

Rainbow Beetle? - Phanaeus vindex
Montrose, Laurens County, Georgia, USA
July 9, 2010
Size: 12-13 mm
I am not familiar with the Rainbow Beetle, having tentatively ID'ed this as a Dung Beetle. I soon realized my mistake, but I am still not sure it *is* a Rainbow. Anyone confirm?
Edit: Some of these shots were lightened to highlight detail.

Images of this individual: tag all
Rainbow Beetle? - Phanaeus vindex Rainbow Beetle? - Phanaeus vindex Rainbow Beetle? - Phanaeus vindex Rainbow Beetle? - Phanaeus vindex

Female
No horn = ♀

Moved
Moved from ID Request.

Phanaeus
Phanaeus vindex.

 
Thank you, Brad
Beetles are not my area of expertise to be sure. Appreciate the help.

Not Dung Beetle?
Why do you think it's not Dung Beetle?
I found the one just like yours (metalic rainbow color) and I thought its Onthophagus orpheus...
(My images were not so good, so here is other's example...


 
The depth of the striations on the
elytra are significantly different. As well, the pronotum on mine is *not* punctate like the dung beetle. The "face" is colored differently, also. I may be wrong (wouldn't be the first time), but it matches up better with Rainbow Beetles, to my eye.

Edit: I forgot about the "hump" on the pronotum directly above the head. Also, I want to correct myself before I am immolated for mis-naming the breed. I should have referred to these as Rainbow Scarabs .

 
Oh, I see...
Sorry I rushed for a conclusion... I don't know much about beetles and now I understand why you don't think it's dung beetle. And I see size difference too!

 
No problem...
My first impression was pretty much the same until I looked closer. Believe me, I'm no expert, either....

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