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Project Noah Nature School
Megalodacne heros
20 mm long, making it a nicely-sized beetle. It's a striking orange and black-patterned beetle. This species is larger than M. fasciata, which only grows to a maximum of 15 mm. Take a look at where the elytra meet the pronotum: the orange curves around that black spot, meeting the black pronotum. In M. fasciata, this pattern is not as strong. M. heros also does not have fine punctures on the wing cover.
Forest, found around bracket fungus, upon which it feeds.
This is one of my favorite beetles. It's simply beautiful--I was taken aback by it. I was taking a hike while waiting for the Sun to set and the night watch of insects to come out, when I happened upon this beetle. There's something to be said for being skilled, but I'll take luck over skill any day when I'm out looking for insects! That's certainly how I found this one. Found at Barbara A. Beiser Field Station.
Spotted on Jun 7, 2011
Submitted on Jan 2, 2012
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