Subject: Green and metalic green beetle
Location: Sulphur Oklahoma
May 24, 2012 9:34 pm
I put some ripened fruit out so I could attract some butterflies and I caught a picture of this bug. What am I?
Signature: Sherry Cloud
Hi Sherry.
The first time we saw a photo of a Bumelia Borer, Plinthocoelium suaveolens, we were astonished at its beauty. It really is a beautiful beetle. Did your rotting fruit attract any butterflies?
Thank you.
Yes, I am trying my talents at a little photograpy and it helps to attract the butterflies. Here are a couple. I am waiting for the really colorful one!
Hi again Sherry,
Thanks for sending us some butterfly photos. We are posting the Anglewing, probably a Comma. Their wings are actually quite colorful when they are opened. The undersides help to camouflage the resting butterfly by allowing it to blend in with dried leaves.
UPDATE: Mating Bumelia Borers
May 25, 2012
Here this beetle is again, but with a mate I believe. Is it unusual to see them here in Southern Oklahoma? I think it is the male on top and he looks almost like an alien!
Thank you for getting back to me.
Hi again Sherry,
Thanks for sending the photo of the mating Bumelia Borers. Most sightings we have received are from Texas. According to BugGuide, there are no reports from Oklahoma, but they are reported from adjacent states Texas, Arkansas and Missouri. They are also reported from as far west as Arizona and as far east as Florida.