Anyone know what this beetle is?

[PeterAit]

Not photographically very good, being taken with a single on-camera flash and a non-macro lens, but I find the beetle to be fascinating, particularly the thick antennae and the strange claw-like feet. About 1.5" long.

[Bart_van_der_Wolf]

Not photographically very good, being taken with a single on-camera flash and a non-macro lens, but I find the beetle to be fascinating, particularly the thick antennae and the strange claw-like feet. About 1.5" long.

Hi Peter,

Looks like a Prionus Coriaceus or long horn beetle.

Cheers,
Bart

[Otto Phocus]

It looks a bit like a female Mallodon dasystomus - Hardwood Stump Borer

A side view showing more of the mandible would help identification.

Where did you see this beetle? 

It almost looks like a Pine Sawyer Beetle, but they prefer high altitudes and are usually found in the Rockies.

[syncrasy]

I think the previous posters are on the right track (a type of Long-horned Beetle). It probably isn't Prionus coriaceus (now P. coriarius?) because that's a European species, but there are several Prionus sp. in North Carolina (see http://bugguide.net/node/view/3142). Hardwood Stump Borer is also a type of Long-horned Beetle and it does live in North Carolina.

Since you live in North America, you might consider posting the image to bugguide.net (you'll have to create an account if you don't have one). Post it to the lowest certain place in the taxonomy, e.g., Beetles. Expert reviewers will help you with a more specific ID.

[PeterAit]

Thanks, all. I will have my macro setup ready tonight in case it comes back.