Gold and Brown Rove Beetle
Ontholestes cingulatus
I found a couple of specimens of this beautiful rove beetle at White Pines Forest State Park near Oregon, Illinois. I had never seen one before and it was quite a thrill to have one pose for pictures, on a flower no less; quite unusual for an adult beetle which normally dines on maggots and other beetle larvae.
This beetle has a fearsome set of mandibles
They burst into flight so suddenly I have not been able to see the wings.
It’s difficult to describe the bioluminescent-like the iridescent coloration of the last three abdominal segments, and similar alternating bands of golden-yellow hair underneath the abdomen and thorax. The yellow color seems to turn itself on or off depending upon from what angle it’s viewed. And how otherwise cryptic its camouflage; ideal for tree bark or leaf litter alike. This is one of our largest rove beetles at 19mm.
This awesome beetle is a strong flyer, with a very loud, buzz. Rove beetle eggs are deposited on carrion or fungi, and larvae compete with fly maggots for those food resources. Adult rove beetles use their large mandibles to dine on fly maggots, mites, and other beetles’ larvae.
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