Beetle - Meloe americanus

from J.D. Pinto: "Probably M. americanus -

"...but I'm not sure the photo shows the proper perspective of antennal segment V to separate it definitively from M. impressus."

Moved from Oil Beetles.

… v belov, 21 November, 2011 - 7:21am

So the i.d. has been narrowed

So the i.d. has been narrowed down to one but possibly a second species - I'm thrilled!

One question leads to another: Which of the many ground-dwelling bees would host this beetle? Would the largest, carpenter bee, be a good guess?

Thanks again Victor, & please convey thanks to J.D. Pinto.

And my adoration for Bugguide continues.....

… Beth Johnson, 21 November, 2011 - 7:53am

another question leads to the next:

are there any ground-dwelling carpenter bees? (i was under the impression that the whole point of calling it carpenter is to refer to its wood-nesting habits)
a quck web serch yields a record of Tetralonia hamata as host (Miliczky 1985) --nowadays Eucera hamata, it seems.
i've been called Victor before (once, also on BG) yet have no claim on that name, or any things victorious, for that matter. =v= is just fine.

… v belov, 28 February, 2012 - 5:57am

suspect M. americanus, although angles are unfortunate

no dorsal view, and the 5th antennomere not in plain sight :(

… v belov, 20 November, 2011 - 12:19pm

I added two crops of the 5th

I added two crops of the 5th antennomere area from photos already posted, just in case they provide additional information.

At least now I know what to document if he makes another appearance!
Thanks Victor.

… Beth Johnson, 20 November, 2011 - 6:27pm

Moved

Moved from ID Request.

… Brad Barnd, 19 November, 2011 - 8:44pm

If this is on an animal at a

If this is on an animal at a zoo GET IT OFF! If they swallow it, they could be poisoned by this beetle. The poison is strong enough to kill horses also.

… bugwonderer, 19 November, 2011 - 8:03pm

Male Meloe

In the Guide here.

Others may be able to take the ID further.

… Ken Wolgemuth, 19 November, 2011 - 7:52pm

...

Great photo!

… Harvey Schmidt, 19 November, 2011 - 7:47pm