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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Beetles (Coleoptera) » Adephaga » Ground Beetles (Carabidae) » Carabinae » Carabini » Caterpillar Hunter Beetles (Calosoma) » Subgenus Calodrepa (Calosoma Subgenus Calodrepa) » Fiery Searcher (Calosoma scrutator)
Photo#2076550
female Calosoma enjoys a snack during copulation - Calosoma scrutator - male - female
Copyright © 2022 Dave Webb

female Calosoma enjoys a snack during copulation - Calosoma scrutator - Male Female
Whiteford, Harford County, Maryland, USA
July 26, 2020
I wish I had taken measurement photos of this love-locked duo, but I was so spellbound by what I was witnessing that I forgot. The difference in size between these two is pretty amazing, but given her insatiable appetite it's also understandable. The coloration and size seemed right for Calosoma screwtator -- oops, I mean scrutator. (Sorry, couldn't resist.) Confirmation/correction appreciated.

PS -- She gets my vote for Multitasker of the Year.

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female Calosoma enjoys a snack during copulation - Calosoma scrutator - male - female female Calosoma enjoys a snack during copulation - Calosoma scrutator - male - female
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Contributed by Dave Webb on 3 January, 2022 - 4:00pm
Last updated 3 January, 2022 - 10:04pm

"The way to a man's heart is through his stomach"
In other words, maybe this behavior represents the reproductive tactic by the female to offer food for sex? Dessert awaits the male after the job is done. But please don't quote me on this speculation. Anyway, it's food for thought.
… Peter W. Messer, 4 January, 2022 - 1:07pm login or register to post comments

Moved
Moved from Ground Beetles.
… Curt Harden, 3 January, 2022 - 10:04pm login or register to post comments

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