Rhysodine beetles make their living feeding on slime molds under the bark of decaying trees . They are instantly recognizable from the grooves on their backs and from their distinctly moniliform (bead-like) antennae. The taxonomic placement of these insects is controversial, but genetic evidence suggests they are a highly specialized lineage of Carabidae, the ground beetles.
photo details: Canon MP-E 65mm 1-5x macro lens on a Canon EOS D60
ISO 100, 1/200 sec, f/13, flash diffused through tracing paper
Cool.
I have these crawling around one of my cupboards and in a dresser drawer.
Any way to rid them? I have no idea how they came to me, since I live on the 10th floor of my building.
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Hi Alex,
We have been seeing quite a number of smooth black beetles that look a lot like this one around out redwood trees transplanted to Santa Barbara CA.
How do we go about sending you a photo to see if you can identify it?
Hi Alex
If you find any more Rhysodini, I would love to exchange for them. Perhaps New Zealand myremecophilous Pselaphinae would appeal to you?
John