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Beautiful Red Beetle
July 15, 2009
I’ve seen these small active red beetles in Oklahoma woodlands all of my life, over 50 years, but never have identified them. They are very showy and run or fly readily to escape. They are active in the hottest times of the summer in the daytime. I found this one in mid-July in central Oklahoma on a 105 F degree-day. I’ve never seen them in groups only as singles. It’s about a third of an inch long.
K. Hopkins
Oklahoma, USA

Checkered Beetle

Dear K.,
We didn’t realize we were answering two of your letters back to back.  This is a Checkered Beetle, Enoclerus ichneumoneus. You may find matching images on BugGuide.  After opening five different large files for your photographs, the photo instructor in us feels compelled to tell you that you have a lot of visual noise.  Try changing the sensitivity to light (ISO) or some other resolution factor which is causing your otherwise marvelous images to be degraded.

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4. Checkered Beetle (June 24, 2007)
5. Checkered Beetle (April 24, 2009)