Chauliognathus lecontei - LeConte's Soldier Beetle
Chiricahua Mountains, Arizona
Soldier Beetles are named for their bright colors. Larvae are predaceous, but adults are commonly seen feeding from the nectar and pollen of flowers.
photo details: Canon 100m f2.8 macro lens on a Canon 20D
f/6.3, 1/250 sec, ISO 200
indirect strobe in white box
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Hey, Alex--
I just wanted to say hi & note that I'm very much enjoying your Friday Beetle Blog and all the other great photos of lesser insect orders. Thumbs up for the agyrtid! We of the underrepresented staphylinoid community salute you.
Thanks Ainsley! Do you have any suggestions for where I might be able to find live Leiodids to photograph?