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Photo#40163
Cotinis mutabilis? - Cotinis

Cotinis mutabilis? - Cotinis
Las Cruces, Doña Ana County, New Mexico, USA
December 29, 2005
Size: 25 - 28 mm
Found crawling on its back through dust ten yards or so from mound of pecan leaves and husks where it might have lived. Hairiness, back crawling, and non-C-shaped posture are all signs of Cotinus. Considering the locale, I would say this is Cotinis mutabilis, the Green Fig Beetle. This one had a run-in with something that apparently had a couple grub legs for a snack.

The presumed species is said to consume composting vegetable matter. I'll see what this one prefers, starting with my beetle staples of rolled oats and dry dogfood. Eventually we might get ID confirmation in the form of an adult, which can be easily identified by smell alone -- quite distinctive.

Images of this individual: tag all
Cotinis mutabilis? - Cotinis Cotinis mutabilis? - Cotinis Cotinis mutabilis? - Cotinis Cotinis mutabilis? - Cotinis

Won't happen :-(
This larva died for reasons unknown.

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