I was working at the local paintball field when I saw this little guy flying around. When alarmed, adults run around with the tip of their abdomen raised in a threatening fashion, like a scorpion. The map below showcases (in blue) the states and territories of North America where the, The BeetleIdentification.org logo, its written content, and photography are unique to this website (unless where indicated) and is protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. The larvae pupate in chambers in whatever substrate they’re in. It will lose its place if a proposal to divide the Staphylinidae into four families gains traction.
According to BugGuide, it is: “Large for a rove beetle. And (a little lagniappe) according to the very readable and prolific Gilbert Waldbauer in Fireflies, Honey and Silk. Eucheira is one of an extremely small number of gregarious nest-building butterflies, but there are many such gregarious species among the closely-related moths… ‘The Aztecs,’ notes Richard Peigler, ‘called [this] insect xiquipilchiuhpapalotla, which means butterfly that makes a pouch.’ He describes the walls of the tent as resembling parchment paper in texture and color and being so tightly woven and tough that they could only be cut with a sharp knife. You will receive a new password via e-mail. The silken walls of a tent, a communal nest, constructed by one hundred or more cooperating Mexican butterfly caterpillars (Eucheira socialis) have served as a unique writing surface in both prehistoric and historic times. The larvae feed on carrion or fungi, and the adults eat the inevitable flies, maggots, and larvae of other beetles that are found those habitats. Females are relatively scarce, and interloper males will take advantage of the fact that she may still be receptive, and the fact is, the majority of the offspring are likely to be sired by the most recent male. I love observing and learning about them, my favorite is the Hummingbird Moth. According to BugGuide, it is: “Large for a rove beetle. It’s a Rove beetle, family Staphylinidae, a beetle family that rivals the weevils (and the Ichneumonid wasps) for the title of largest animal family (and scientists are still discovering new species). Please enter your username or e-mail address. And more. We believe this is either a Gold and Brown Rove Beetle, Ontholestes cingulatus, or a closely related species. According to bugguide.net, there are at least 30 described species in the genus Ontholestes, only two of which live in North America, and only one of which is native.