I finally found this guy in the collection of the South-West Research station of the Chiricahuas near Portal - I was just going to put his ID on him, when I found yours. Thank you!

I have several specimens of this beetle from the Chiricahuas that I have collected over the years. I will be back there in a week, so if I encounter more, would anyone like to have me send one or two along for IDing?

Robyn Waayers

take a look, he's indicated as much.
I am also planning on a trip out there next week, and Eric Eaton might be interested - would you like to meat somewhere?

I replied to your E-mail address (the one on your web site). I'l check my mail in the morning to see if it went through. We're leaving 7 am tomorrow (and won't have much e-mail contact ability -- probably none, on the trip).

and answered per e mail!

actually Rutelinae is my idea, and to me more special then all those pretty Chrysinae

says Cyclocephala - assuming it is, it's a male; pull the tail, that'll nail it. I'm assuming that the appearance of independently moveable claws is an optical contusion. Great shot BTW.

with this tail-pulling and I donot want to practise on this single find - but I'll figure it out on more common species.

compare the elongate tarsi of this to any Ruteline, also the middle leg on the right has the claws splayed out - won't see that in rutelines, finally that head has a very typical Cyclocephala shape.

as for pulling tails - best if collected in alcohol [not the 100% stuff either, tends to make them stiff] - start with Phyllophaga, they have quite large intricate genitalia. Lay specimen on its back in a shallow dish of alcohol, reach up under the pygidium with forceps or a hook and pull - very quick and easy with a little practice. Trogids tend to be a little tougher - flat plate genitalia. All the Dynastines are easy and diagnostic.