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Photo#2207993
Omorgus punctatus ? - Trox

Omorgus punctatus ? - Trox
Austin, Travis County, Texas, USA
December 7, 2022
found on wall

Images of this individual: tag all
Omorgus punctatus ? - Trox Omorgus punctatus ? - Trox

tempted to call it contractus but must see male parts
Moved from Hide Beetles.

Moved
Moved from ID Request.

ID based on shape of the scutellum, which you can compare below


Omorgus also tend to have large shiny patches on their pronotum and elytra, whereas Trox are pretty dull or have the patches of hair on the elytra, like yours shows.

 
Ah, thank you!
Thank you, Tyler, for this very helpful information!
This family is completely new to me! This guy was stuck to a brick wall -- not sure what that was all about.

 
You're welcome!
It must have thought the wall was a safe spot for some reason. I've found trogids in odd spots before, especially if there are lights nearby. Neat family!

Yes
the first hide beetle I found was just sitting there inconspicuously, and it just looked like a tiny pebble. They do play dead very well.

 
Thank you both!
I had never seen one of these guys before! It was stuck to a wall like a snail and I only removed it because we were facing a very hard freeze. But then I thought it was already dead.

Playing dead? Hide beetles pl
Playing dead? Hide beetles play dead very convincingly, and can easily hold that pose for hours. The neat positioning of the limbs and tightly tucked head suggests that there's nothing wrong with it.

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