Carpet Beetle - Anthrenus sophonisba

Not an expert...

...but this looks like a Carpet Beetle (Anthrenus) species to me. Of the species that the guide currently has from California, it looks like a possible match for A. sopho*nisba: Here's a picture:

Please do wait for someone with more knowledge of this family to confirm.

BTW, these are some nice beetles you've been finding!

… Harsi S. Parker, 5 April, 2009 - 1:17pm

right on

nice find!

… v belov, 5 April, 2009 - 3:52pm

nice beetles vs. nice detective work

Visiting my folks for a few days, so I brought the camera along to snap a few photos from outside my usual demesne. Nice detective work, by the way, Harsi. Especially on that other flower beetle: there were only two or three examples of that particular beetle! :) Well done.

… Kevin Hall, 5 April, 2009 - 1:28pm

Thanks Kevin...

...for the kind words. I have been trying really hard to learn the beetles from my state. (I figured I better narrow down the options, because I got bit overwhelmed trying to learn everything from the entire US!) The primary "detective tools" I have at my disposal are lists I have compiled which give me some understanding of the regional probability, as well as my studious attempts to make a visual match based on superficial characteristics. What I sorely lack is the experience and training to back up my assertions (guesses, really) and the knowledge to discern subtle anatomic differences. But, I have a lot of fun researching and learning along the way.

Glad you are finding so many wonderful distractions while visiting family!

… Harsi S. Parker, 5 April, 2009 - 2:19pm

not a distraction, but a family activity! :)

Actually, my seven year old niece (and my daughter!) are huge bug fans. So, all the stuff I found yesterday was in the company of my niece who thinks bugs are "way cool".

… Kevin Hall, 5 April, 2009 - 2:57pm

Kids and bugs...

That is wonderful that you are able to share your enjoyable pastime with your daughter and niece! The world needs more young people who are neither scared nor grossed out by insects.

BTW, I think your "Backyard Biology" teaching concept and website are just terrific!!

… Harsi S. Parker, 5 April, 2009 - 7:30pm

Thanks, Harsi.

Very nice thing to say about the ol' Backyard Bio project. I'm definitely not the first one to do it, but I've had a blast, and the kids did great last year with it.

Then the ()*&*!!s had to move me to Gen. Science and Chemistry only this year because one of our Chemistry folks left last year. So, no Biology for me this year!! :( Don't get me wrong: I love Chemistry, and I enjoy working with the freshmen in General Science, but I miss Biology a LOT! I may just let some of my freshmen or juniors get some extra points by doing a little Biology!

And, yes, I'm *very* proud of my niece and especially my daughter. Both my daughters are going to come to the BugGuide gathering this year. They're looking forward to it quite a bit.

… Kevin Hall, 5 April, 2009 - 11:42pm

I'd be missing Biology too!

I was never really into science when I was in school -- though I might have been if I had had a teacher like you that tried to make things fun and hands-on! The few biology classes I took didn't thrill me much, but they were definitely more fun than the one chemistry class I had to take... There were way too many formulas to memorize and way too much math for me to enjoy myself.

… Harsi S. Parker, 7 April, 2009 - 1:09am