Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Flower Scarab Beetle

Flower Scarab Beetles in the family Scarabaeidae are common throughout the United States and they are attracted to the fragrant blossoms of a wide variety of plants. They are also attracted to fermenting fruit so are often found on decaying fruit. They can sometimes become pests in orchards or vineyards. Because of their habitat of visiting flowers like the milkweed here, they are also pollinators. Carrying pollen from one plant to another as they bumble around looking for nectar. They are considered bumble bee mimics because of the sound of their wings and their flight pattern. They are somewhat uncoordinated in their landing however and often "crash" into the blooms.

I think the beetle pictured here is the Hairy Flower Scarab or sometimes called a Bumble Bee Mimic Beetle (Trichiotinus assimilis). There are eight species within this genus in North America. As larvae they live and grow in rotting timber.


5 comments:

  1. I like these little guys.I have been enjoying the milkweed bloom, so fragrant.I will be at the cabin all this next week, trading the tent for bed and AC, trout fishing.
    Steve,OOTP

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  2. a) adorable, b) what is up with the 2 legs sky high?

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  3. p.s. are biologists allowed to have such perfectly manicured nails?!? Impressive!! =)

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  4. I like these beetles too Steve, but I don't see them all that often. Our milkweed is in full bloom too, and smells heavenly. Enjoy your week at the cabin and catch lots of fish!

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  5. LOL Bio I have no idea what is going on with the legs on this beetle, he literally stuck them up in the air as soon as he saw me....perhaps he thought he was going to be seized? The fingernails are my one "Pamper me" indulgence. I cannot grow my own, no way now how. So I usually give in and go get them done during the summer months.

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