Project Noah is a tool to explore and document wildlife and a platform to harness the power of citizen scientists everywhere.
Project Noah is a tool to explore and document wildlife and a platform to harness the power of citizen scientists everywhere.
Odontotaenius disjunctus
This is a bess beetle, Odontotaenius disjunctus. This particularl species is commonly known as the patent-leather beetle. It is also known as the Jerusalum beetle. The great thing about common names? There's no shortage of them... Heh. The little trooper was scampering under a log in Grand Bay WMA. Look closer and check out the little red organisms around the head! Mites, perhaps? Indeed! [jansonjones http://dusttracks.com]
Kudos to KalinayKrazies and Mandy Hollman for pointing me toward Odontotaenius disjunctus!
John, thanks for the identification tip. This is a patent-leather beetle, also commonly referred to as a bess beetle (along with other similar species). Thus the need for its scientific classification: Odontotaenius disjunctus -- which is specific to this one particular bess beetle, the patent-leather beetle, and not others. In this case, because of genus species, bess beetle = patent leather beetle. (This is one reason I really prefer scientific classifications!) I'll clarify my description to state both names.
These are such cool beetles! I found one a couple months ago. It made squeaking noises at me when I picked it up. The things on its head are mites. Mine had one too.
Lat: 30.94, Long: -83.18
Spotted on May 7, 2012
Submitted on May 16, 2012
