Can you identify this beetle?
I have searched the web and can’t find this beetle anywhere. My mom found it already dead in Elbert County, GA. If you can help me that would be great. I hope that the attached pictures are clear enough. Thanks,
Ashley
Hi Ashley,
This is one of the Scarab Beetles known collectively as Rhinoceros Beetles. It is in the genus Phileurus, and is most likely the Triceratops Beetle, Phileurus truncatus. They are attracted to lights. There is more information to be found on BugGuide. This is a new species for our site and we are thrilled to post it. Eric Eaton has this to add: ” Yes, the triceratops beetle ID is correct. That is a genus of carnivorous scarabs, believe it or not. Eric”
¶ Posted 03 December 2006 § ‡ ° Bug from a pig barn
Hi Mr. Bugman,
Can you help us? Our pig barn in east-central Alberta is experiencing an increase of these black and white striped critters. They prefer dry areas with dry maure and seem to live where there are many small black beetles (coincidence?). They have short, stubby wings and can fly short distances – about 6 to 8 inches, though they much prefer walking. They are soft bodied, so don’t appear to be a beetle. These bugs have nasy little pinchers and don’t hesitate to use them! We were wondering if they were a stage of a swine parasite(?) like the bot fly is to a horse; we do de-worm regularly. Are they a predator, or nuisance? Please help because the poor thing are usually squashed on sight!
Donna
Hi Donna,
We couldn’t wait to find out what you found in the pig barn. This is a Rove Beetle. Rove Beetles are a large family, Staphylinidae, that has over 2900 species in North America. Most are predators so you can stop squishing. They might be feeding on insects and worms attracted to the manure. Eric Eaton has this to add: “The rove beetle is a specimen of the hairy rove beetle, Staphylinus maxillosus. They are most commonly found on carrion (dead animals), where they feed on fly maggots. They are strictly predatory, as you mentioned. Eric”
¶ Posted 02 December 2006 § ‡ ° Interesting Bug
I was on the roof of my place of employment. When I came across this Bug that I have never seen before. I am hoping you will be able to identify it. Thank You
Dave
Hi Dave,
This is a Predacious Diving Beetle in the genus Dytiscus, and like many aquatic insects, it can fly.
¶ Posted 28 November 2006 § ‡ ° bug in texas
hello,
i saw this bug crawling around at an airport in texas. i couldn’t find it online or on your site. the local guys called it an "armadillo bug", but a google search for that did not turn up any results. can you tell me what it is? thank you and nice site.
kitty hawk
Hi Kitty,
This is a Blister Beetle in the genus Megetra. Many Blister Beetles secrete Cantharidin which causes blistering of the skin.
¶ Posted 19 November 2006 § ‡ ° Corpse Bug in New Mexico?
Hello WTB,
This guy was crawling over the boulders (gravel) in my garden yesterday. He went on his way after I took a couple of pictures. I only wish I’d had better depth of field. He was (and still is, somewhere) about an inch long. I think he is of the Silphidae? What do you say? (I just couldn’t resist adding the greeting on the last pic!) best to you,
Sarah
Hi Sarah,
This is indeed a Silphid or Burying Beetle. They are also known as Sexton Beetles. We aren’t sure what your exact species is.
¶ Posted 16 November 2006 § ‡ ° yellow weevil from cyprus- genus lixus-
Hi there. I wanted to let you know that i found one of these on my rose bush two days ago. I have never seen one before, but as I find weevils very fetching with their enormous noses and beady eyes, I took a photo. It ate a whole rose leaf before it disappeared but was there all day. Are they actually native to another country, eg, Cyprus as seen on your website. We are in a severe drought here, and I thought it may have come to the garden where a few things still have green leaves. cheers,
Jenny Davis
Hi Jenny,
There are over 35,000 species of Weevils worldwide, making the family Curculionidae the largest on the planet. Your letter is unclear if you are from Cypress, or if you think your Weevil looks like the one from Cypress. It does possess the yellow powdery bloom that Eric Eaton describes for the genus Lixus.
¶ Posted 16 November 2006 § Weevils ‡ ° Checkered or Blister Beetle?
I looked through your section on beetles and couldn’t find this species. From what I looked at on your site and in books I’m assuming it is some type of checkered beetle or possibly a blister beetle. It was found outside of our nature center in Rockledge, FL. Could you identify it for us? Thank you.
Brandon Smith, Environmental Program Coordinator
Riverwalk Nature Center, Rockledge, FL
Hi Brandon,
This is certainly a Checkered Beetle. It looks like Enoclerus muttkowskii according to the images on BugGuide. Eric Eaton is of the opinion that: “The checkered beetle is probably Enoclerus ichneumoneus.”
¶ Posted 08 November 2006 § ‡ ° what’s this bug ????
This bug was crawling around our back deck on October 3rd. We live in Southeastern PA. We thought it was a wasp or something, but the wings looked way too short for flying. It crawled around for a while and then flew away when we got too close. I’ve never seen anything like it. Any ideas?
We are relatively certain this is a Rove Beetle, but the angle of the photo makes it difficult to identify the species. We will see if Eric Eaton knows. Here is what Eric has to say: “Daniel: Yes, you are correct! It is probably a specimen of Platydracus maculosus, our largest native staphylinid. They fly very well, resembling wasps while airborne! Eric”
¶ Posted 06 November 2006 § ‡ ° 
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