Category Archives: Coleoptera

Beetles. The largest order of animals with more than 300,000 species in about 2000 genera.

Brazil Bugs #13 – Gorgulho do fungo

Over the weekend during my trip to Brazil last month, I took a walk in the municipal park near my colleague’s home in Barão Geraldo. There was a rather large lake with a walking trail going around it, and although much … Continue reading

Posted in Anthribidae, Coleoptera | Tagged , , , , , , | 20 Comments

Featured Guest Photo – Dromica kolbei

Shortly after I returned from Brazil, this stunning photo was sent to me by Joe Warfel, who himself had just returned from a trip to South Africa.  Joe had seen the beetle at Punda Maria camp in the northern part of … Continue reading

Posted in Cicindelidae, Coleoptera | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Answers to ID Challenge #5 – Artrópodes em casca de árvore morta

After checking into my hotel in Campinas, Brazil I couldn’t wait to start exploring the grounds to see what insect life I might be able to find.  Almost immediately, I encountered this dead tree in back of the hotel.  To a … Continue reading

Posted in Coleoptera, Collembola, Diplopoda, Entognatha, Polyxenida, Tenebrionidae | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Recent literature – The Coleopterists Bulletin

I returned to the office this week after spending two weeks in Brazil to find the December 2010 of The Coleopterists Bulletin in my inbox.  I don’t think there is another journal that I look forward to more eagerly than … Continue reading

Posted in Buprestidae, Cerambycidae, Cicindelidae, Coleoptera | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 13 Comments

Brazil Bugs #3 – Gorgulho Enorme!

The second night at the hotel on the outskirts of Campinas (São Paulo, Brazil), I found this enormous weevil laying on the ground underneath some windows.  It was dead but completely relaxed and in perfect shape.  I wondered if it … Continue reading

Posted in Coleoptera, Curculionidae | Tagged , , , , , , , | 20 Comments

Brazil Bugs #2

A few more photographs from this past week in Campinas, Brazil.  It rained during the afternoon but stopped by the time I arrived back at the hotel, allowing me to stroll the lavishly landscaped grounds during the mild evening hours.  There … Continue reading

Posted in Cicadidae, Coccinelidae, Coleoptera, Diptera, Hemiptera, Hymenoptera, Lepidoptera, Lycaenidae, Sarcophagidae, Vespidae | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 24 Comments

Calm waters, frenzied beetles

The North Fork River in south-central Missouri, like most Ozark rivers and streams, flows clear and cold over gravelled bottoms. Sustained year-round by the numerous seeps and springs that result from the region’s unique Karst geology, it meanders through a mix of … Continue reading

Posted in Coleoptera, Gyrinidae | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 20 Comments

Diversity in Tiger Beetle Larval Burrows

One of the fascinating aspects of tiger beetle study is their often high degree of fidelity for specific habitats.  Some species prefer wet habitats, while others frequent the drier uplands.  Some like sand while others need clay.  Differences in salinity, vegetational cover, … Continue reading

Posted in Cicindelidae, Coleoptera | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 42 Comments