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Photo#264430
Brown Leatherwing Beetle - Pacificanthia consors

Brown Leatherwing Beetle - Pacificanthia consors
Madrona Marsh Preserve, Torrance, Los Angeles County, California, USA
April 7, 2009
Size: ~ 20 mm
Found semi-motionless under Eucalyptus bark, and in no hurry to get away.

First thought was: Australian Longhorn.

Closer examination of this velvety beauty, yielded a West Coast native: a Brown Leatherwing Beetle (Pacificanthia consors), the only species in its genus.
It's California's largest soldier beetle, and a beneficial one, as it is fond of Citrus Mealybugs and other prosecuted juice drinkers.
They usually hide under bark, but an Australian Eucalyptus seems an odd choice.
It probably doesn't matter if your progeny are non-picky carnivores.

With antennae tucked away it might be easier to crawl under bark.

Images of this individual: tag all
Brown Leatherwing Beetle - Pacificanthia consors Brown Leatherwing Beetle - Pacificanthia consors Brown Leatherwing Beetle - Pacificanthia consors