Artemato*podidae? No, it's - Dolotarsus lividus Jefferson Notch area, Coos County, New Hampshire, USA May 26, 2007 Size: about 8 mm
I figured this was just another plain, brown cli*ck beetle when I fished it out of the swimming pool at the Jefferson Notch Motel. I still thought so when I was photographing it, although I did notice the red highlights on the sides of the elytra that I thought might provide an ID clue.
When I saw the enlarged images, however, I began to suspect this beetle belonged to an entirely different family. For one, the rear corners of the elytra were hardly acute, nor did this beetle seem to have a clicking mechanism on its underside. These points butressed my impression that the shape of the head and antennae were not elaterid. Due to the shape and hairiness of this animal I'm guessing Atemato*podidae.
The posture is no doubt a tad unnatural due to my insistence that the beetle straighten out so I could get a good dorsal view. I basically squished it with my thumb. It seemed to be near or completely dead already.
Images of this individual: tag all Contributed by Jim McClarin on 23 June, 2007 - 10:38pm Last updated 7 July, 2007 - 12:08pm |