Identification, Images, & Information
For Insects, Spiders & Their Kin
For the United States & Canada
Photo#1215646
Big Beetle - Phanaeus triangularis

Big Beetle - Phanaeus triangularis
Bullitt County, Kentucky, USA
April 26, 2016
Size: 22mm
I spotted this large beetle on its back beside a wildflower that I was photographing. When I picked it up it wasn't moving so I took a couple of pictures of the underside and placed on a rock to get some more pictures of the top side. I was seeing legs starting to move then it's antennae came out and one last picture and it suddenly flew away and was gone! Was this an intentional behavior - playing possum?

Images of this individual: tag all
Big Beetle - Phanaeus triangularis Big Beetle - Phanaeus triangularis Big Beetle - Phanaeus triangularis Big Beetle - Phanaeus triangularis Big Beetle - Phanaeus triangularis

Moved, Phanaeus t. triangularis
Moved from Phanaeini.

Moved
Moved from Phanaeini.

Moved
Moved from ID Request.

Do you have a shot from straight above (dorsal)
please add if you do, it's always better for beetle ids

 
Overhead shot
See the last posting for an almost overhead shot.