Luminous Landscape Forum

The Art of Photography => The Coffee Corner => Topic started by: PeterAit on July 02, 2015, 08:28:03 am

Title: Anyone know what this beetle is?
Post by: PeterAit on July 02, 2015, 08:28:03 am
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.
Title: Re: Anyone know what this beetle is?
Post by: Bart_van_der_Wolf on July 02, 2015, 08:47:49 am
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 (https://www.google.com/search?q=Prionus+coriaceus) or long horn beetle.

Cheers,
Bart
Title: Re: Anyone know what this beetle is?
Post by: Otto Phocus on July 02, 2015, 09:03:06 am
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.
Title: Re: Anyone know what this beetle is?
Post by: syncrasy on July 02, 2015, 09:11:23 am
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 (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 (http://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.
Title: Re: Anyone know what this beetle is?
Post by: PeterAit on July 02, 2015, 09:49:36 am
Thanks, all. I will have my macro setup ready tonight in case it comes back.