Subject: What is this bug?
Location: Borneo
December 13, 2016 8:14 am
Hey Bugman,
On a recent trip to Borneo we came across this funky bug.
Very praying mantis in its stance, but flies like some sort of wasp.
Super cool creature that we spent about 30mins watching as it waited for ants or flys to cross its path so it could have lunch.
Thanks!
Signature: Emily
Dear Emily,
The front legs on your insects are quite unusual, and they do not seem adapted for walking. Nonetheless, we are relatively certain that this is a Rove Beetle in the family Staphylinidae. But for the front legs, your individual looks like this individual from Malaysia pictured on Project Noah. This unidentified Rove Beetle from Paul Bertner’s Rainforest Photography site and the one from Borneo Bootcamp have similarly structured legs. Because we will be away from the office for the holidays, we are postdating your submission to go live at the end of the month while we are away.
