DavidIsrael

Nice find. Sehirus cinctus, the White Margined Burrower Bug, is not actually a Beetle. Rather it belongs to the order Hemiptera, and is what an entomologist would call a "true" bug. This bug is somewhat unique among insects because the mothers stay with their eggs, protecting them, and then protect and even feed their babies for a few days after they hatch. Most insects lay their eggs on, in or near what the babies eat, and then leave.

Yes, I think that the nomenclature has changed and the current "correct" scientific name is now Climaciella brunnea and the current common name is now Wasp Mantidfly, although you will still find it listed under the old name in may texts for some time yet.

I think it was looking for mice, and possibly insects. It went under all the pallets of bees in the yard, then went loping off accross the field. It didn't make any attempt to catch any bees at the hive entrances. The honey would not be easily accessable to it, since it was inside the hive.

I am a beekeeper and one time had a mink come into my bee yeard while I was working there. He almost stepped on my shoe while hunting under the bee pallets. He was fully aware that I was there, and snarled at me when I reached down toward him, but otherwise showed no fear of, or aggression towards me.

I am quite sure that this beetle belongs to the Rove Beetle family, Staphylinidae, but I am unable to identify it further. If you have beetle in hand, you may be able to key it out with a book such as How To Know The Beetles, Second Edition, by Ross H Arnett, Jr, Et. All., 1980