Identification, Images, & Information
For Insects, Spiders & Their Kin
For the United States & Canada
Clickable Guide
Moths Butterflies Flies Caterpillars Flies Dragonflies Flies Mantids Cockroaches Bees and Wasps Walkingsticks Earwigs Ants Termites Hoppers and Kin Hoppers and Kin Beetles True Bugs Fleas Grasshoppers and Kin Ticks Spiders Scorpions Centipedes Millipedes

Calendar

TaxonomyBrowseInfoImagesLinksBooksData
Photo#37753
Dune Beetle - Coelus ciliatus

Dune Beetle - Coelus ciliatus
San Gregorio Beach, California, USA
November 19, 2005
Size: 5mm
I found this burrowing near the roots of Horned Searocket in the sand. Everytime I put it down it started to burrow. The massive amounts of hairs on the legs and body, along with the brick red color, and scutellum look too much unlike a Scarab Beetle. Especially since there are no grooves on it. It looks like a very small Rain Beetle, Family Pleocomidae. Is it?
Can anyone save me from delusions of grandeur? I know it's tiny, but the literature I saw said that it takes up to 12 years to mature, so maybe its a young one. I don't know what the deal is with the wing cover, but I don't think I caused the damage. Thanks

Images of this individual: tag all
Dune Beetle - Coelus ciliatus Dune Beetle - Coelus ciliatus Dune Beetle - Coelus ciliatus Dune Beetle - Coelus ciliatus Dune Beetle - Coelus ciliatus Dune Beetle - Coelus ciliatus Dune Beetle - Coelus ciliatus Dune Beetle - Coelus ciliatus

Moved
Moved from Dune Beetles.

not a young one
beetles don't grow as adults, like all holometabolous insects.

Not Pleocoma.
I agree this is not a rain beetle, but it may well be another type of scarab beetle. I can't make out the antennae, however, so cannot rule out Lucanidae or Tenebrionidae as possibilities. All three families (including Scarabaeidae) have unique dune-inhabiting species.

 
I have the specimen
I'll post some shots of the specimen soon, any other parts that you could use to help make the ID. I'm sad it's not a Rain Beetle, I was quite excited for a bit. But Lucanidae would be really cool too!
Will Chatfield-Taylor

 
Long shot, but...
If a "Scarab" - are mandibles prominent and are
mesotibia with long spur serrate along one
edge? ......... Ochodaeidae

 
I think you're right
I think it might be a Sand-loving Scarab, i saw a pic that looks really similar
but I dont see the spurs on the second legs, and the antenna aren't clubbed...
Will Chatfield-Taylor

 
nope
The wing covers aren't striated, and the mandibles dont look prominent. At least, I think they aren't.
Will Chatfield-Taylor

 
clarification
Don't worry about the elytra - most spp. are smooth (the picture was just a go by). By prominent, all I mean is obviously exposed - most scarabs have them covered. If overall shape is OK - check for the serrate middle spur.

 
Don't see it, but...
The tarsal formula seems to be 5-5-4, if that helps

Will Chatfield-Taylor

 
'Scarabs' have tarsal ...
'Scarabs' have tarsal formula of 5-5-5

Comment viewing options
Select your preferred way to display the comments and click 'Save settings' to activate your changes.