Scarab Beetle

Frassed

Moved from Euphoria.

… v belov, 9 March, 2024 - 3:33pm

Moved

… Phillip Harpootlian, 14 February, 2009 - 6:07pm

Perhaps Euphoria herbacea

Too bad the mud is so stuck on there. Based on the behavior--out and on the lookout for females (?) in daytime, and the color of the pronotum and head, I think it is possibly Euphoria herbacea, examples:

Note the behavior in the left-hand image, climbing grass stem with antennae spread wide, likely smelling for pheromones. Season is correct as well--June to July.

Patrick Coin
Durham, North Carolina

… Cotinis, 31 July, 2005 - 10:26pm

I don't know

I'm hesitant to disagree with one more expert than I, but the shape of the pronotum looks different: In the E. herbacea photos it's almost triangular, while in this specimen, it looks consiederably more quadrate. And this specimen shows a bit more of a "neck" behind the eyes.

On the other hand, this may all be due to the beetle's slight angle away from the camera in this shot.

… Ethan Friedman, 1 August, 2005 - 5:19am

I see what you mean...

Yes, I see what you mean on that pronotum. As you said, hard to say at a given angle. Coloration looks more-or-less the same, but who knows? Too bad this beetle went for the elytral mud pack at the spa.

Now I'm certainly no expert--I've looked at a lot of beetles and identified quite a few, mostly those with bold, distinctive patterns. Luckily Phil Harpootlian, Eric Eaton, etc., bona fide experts, are checking on things. They've set me straight on many an occasion. At least that way I can sometimes learn from my mistakes. Great to have you here, looking at your bio. page, seems you are way more of an expert than I am! Please feel free to check my work whenever you get the chance.

Patrick Coin
Durham, North Carolina

… Cotinis, 1 August, 2005 - 6:13am

Mud

The light brown patch on its abdomen is indeed dried mud.

… Christopher C Wirth, 31 July, 2005 - 3:34pm