beetle
Location: New Hampshire
July 9, 2011 6:21 pm
This was digging a hole in my back yard, is it dangerous?
Signature: Randall
Mating Broad Necked Root Borers
Dear Randall,
We are most excited to post your photo of mating Broad Necked Root Borers, Prionus laticollis, our featured Bug of the Month for July 2011. The larval grubs feed on the roots of trees, but they are not considered a pest species and it is doubtful there would be such a high population on a single tree that they would negatively impact the health of the tree. Root Borers have very strong mandibles, and though they are not an aggressive species, should they be carelessly handled, they might deliver a painful bite and possibly even draw blood.
Beetle in Michigan
Location: Livonia, MI
July 9, 2011 6:40 pm
I found this beetle in my living room today. Any idea what it is? I live in southeast Michigan
Signature: AmandaBugs
Hermit Flower Beetle
Dear AmandaBugs,
This one was a challenge. The legs are too delicate for a female Rhinoceros Beetle in the tribe Dynastini. We eventually found the Hermit Flower Beetle, Osmoderma eremicola, on BugGuide and we feel it is a good match. BugGuide notes that it is also called the “‘Odor-of-Leather Beetle’ (for strong odor of ‘Russian Leather’).“ Did you happen to catch a whiff?
Hermit Flower Beetle
Amanda confirm Odor
I did! I should’ve mentioned that. I looked up the Hermit Flower Beetle and the beetle does look just like that. Thank you for your quick response!
AmandaBugs
help to identify
Location: West Texas, USA
July 9, 2011 1:26 pm
Do you know what kind of bug this is? A friend found it. Very Curious!
Signature: Marci
Blister Beetle
Hi Marci,
This is a beautiful Blister Beetle, and a species we have not encountered before. We identified it as Epicauta atrivittata on the BioLib website.
what’s hidding behind the door?
Location: Decorah Iowa
July 8, 2011 4:48 pm
’Ello. Found this beetle outside the back door. I live in an apt that’s half underground so there are cement steps and a covered drain (he did not get in that way) out the back door. I have lived in northeast iowa for tweny years and haven’t seen this beetle before. this is the second unknown large beetle I’ve found in 3 days! Was able to identify the first one (a beautiful ”caterpillar hunter”), but can only find ones that kind of look like this one. The closest identificatin I could find was the Eger’s earth boring beetle, but I’m not sure this is correct due to the antennas (please excuse my lack of bug speech).
He is black and just over an inch long. I have included photos taken with my phone. I appreciate any help you can give and thank you for your time. 
Signature: Surprised in Iowa
Female Stag Beetle
Dear Surprised in Iowa,
Because of the large mandibles and clubbed antennae, we believe this is a female Stag Beetle. It looks very similar to Lucanus placidus, which we found on Bugguide and there are records of sightings from Iowa. The front legs are quite distinctive, and they match this image from BugGuide. We have contacted Eric Eaton to get his opinion.
Female Stag Beetle
1
Rhino Beetle in Oregon?
Location: Ashland, Oregon, USA
July 8, 2011 12:45 am
My daughter found this beetle while we were camping in Southern Oregon (Ashland). The horn made me think of rhino beetles but it’s fairly small. Are there rhino beetles indigenous to Oregon? What species of insect is this?
Signature: Dr. Aaron Molen
Rugose Stag Beetle
Dear Dr. Aaron Molen,
BugGuide does not have any reports of Rhinoceros Beetles in the subfamily Dynastinae in Oregon, however, there are reports from California. They also include the disclaimer: “Range and date information may be incomplete, overinclusive, or just plain wrong.” This is actually a Rugose Stag Beetle, Sinodendron rugosum, and we identified it on BugGuide and the horn indicates he is a male.
1
Possible Cockchafer
Location: Westford, Vermont
July 9, 2011 9:16 am
My father found this large beetle in their yard yesterday July 8, and saved it for me. Its very large with a hairy underside and beautiful feathery antenna. From what I can surmise it is a Cockchafer or May Beetle…however I can only find articles talking about those existing in Europe/UK. I’m curious if this is indeed one of those beetles or some variation. My parents live in a partially wooded area in rural Vermont. I released it after taking these photos and it made a sort of hissing sound!
Signature: Betsy
Variegated June Beetle
Hi Betsy,
This is one of the Lined June Beetles in the genus Polyphylla. Most of the submissions we receive are of the Ten Lined June Beetle which is found in the western states. The Ten Lined June Beetle has a more distinct pattern. Here is a photo from our archives. You have submitted some wonderful photos of a Variegated June Beetle, Polyphylla variolosa, which is found in New England states. You can read more about it on bugGuide.
Variegated June Beetle
Thanks for getting back to me! I’ve never seen a June Bug that looked this interesting before. And usually I never see them unless they are already dead. I will add the real name to my photo collection
Elisabeth
big beetle
Location: Fenton, MO (St Louis)
July 9, 2011 9:22 am
Found this wonderful beetle in my garden the other day. He was very docile and easy to handle. I took a picture with a ruler to show his size. He was very photogenic and posed nicely. Any idea what species my new garden gardian is?
Signature: Thad James
Male Eastern Hercules Beetle
Hi Thad,
This magnificent beetle is a male Eastern Hercules Beetle, Dynastes tityus. The grubs develop in rotting tree stumps, so if you want to encourage them in your garden in the future, you can leave the stumps of trees in place. The grubs are important in forested areas as they help break down the wood into humus. Thanks for sending us your wonderful photo.
What am I?
Location: southern jersey shore (miles south of Atlantic City)
July 8, 2011 10:23 pm
I found this little one in my office/garage, crawling around, with a very unamused wife. With everyone wanting me to squish it, I figure if i name it, and make it a pet, they cant kill it… But I would like to know what it is first.
She is all black, with 6 legs, a hard shell with lines straight down its back, the shell doesnt seem to be connected to the lower part of the body, and head and middle section are articulated. She wouldnt stand straight to get and exact length, but my dial caliper says she is about 2” long.
thanks,
sloopy.
Signature: sloopy
Broad Necked Root Borer
Hi Sloopy,
This is our featured Bug of the Month for July 2011, the Broad Necked Root Borer, Prionus laticollis. You may read more about her on BugGuide as well. According to BugGuide, adults eat foliage of fruit trees and grape vines, so try feeding her fresh leaves daily.
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