A Thrips? A Beetle? None of the Above? - Conotelus mexicanus - BugGuide.Net

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Photo#95842

Copyright © 2007 Ron Hemberger

A Thrips? A Beetle? None of the Above? - Conotelus mexicanus

Fullerton Arboretum, Fullerton, Orange County, California, USA
February 18, 2007
Size: ~6mm

Really dug into the flower. Was gently lifted and coaxed to pose. Looks a bit like tumbling flower beetle, but didn't behave like one.

Contributed by Ron Hemberger on 18 February, 2007 - 9:18pm
Last updated 23 February, 2009 - 10:46am

Beetle

Reminds me of the sap beetle genus Conotelus, but I'm not sure what species are in CA.

… Brad Barnd, 18 February, 2007 - 9:57pm

My first thought as well

:-)

… Jim McClarin, 19 February, 2007 - 1:58am

Well, that makes three votes with mine.

I'd scrapped a photo that showed the insect hinging at sort of a dividing line about 2/3 of the way down its length, so I'm convinced. Will apply for a new guide page.

… Ron Hemberger, 19 February, 2007 - 10:49am

Thanks, Brad

I was really stuck for a starting point. I quickly found that C.mexicans is in California and saw no others listed. Here's a pinned specimen: http://cals.arizona.edu/crops/images/insectidaz/coleoptera/pages/Coton111.html

… Ron Hemberger, 18 February, 2007 - 10:06pm

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