I noticed that a few Hoggers are going back in their archives and posting some of their favorite photos with the cold weather setting in. The dragons and damsels have died off or departed with the first hard frost so I decided to post a few beetles from past shoots. I have a few others but haven't been able to identify them as of yet so I've enlisted the help of Mark.
This beetle was shot in Costa Rica. These relatives of our Marmorated Stink Bugs feed on the juices sucked from the stems of tobacco, potato, sunflower, eggplant and rice.
Red-bordered Stink Bug, (Edessa rufomarginata) by Tony Schoch, on Flickr
The second was shot locally when I lived in PA. It feeds on Dogbane and occasionally on Milkweed as it is here. It was a difficult shot for me with the iridescence and the fact that is was constantly on the move.
Dogbane Leaf Beetle (Chrysochus auratus) by Tony Schoch, on Flickr
This last one was also shot in Costa Rica. Fungus Beetle refers to their main dietary item which may come as no surprise, fungus. The bright red blotches against a black background is aposematic, or warning coloration. If molested or attacked, the Pleasing Fungus Beetle emits a foul-smelling odor that would cause most would be predators to back off.
Pleasing (Aposematic) Fungus Beetle (Cypherotylus asperus) by Tony Schoch, on Flickr
I may post a few more if we come up with an identification or I may just post for the fun of it. Have a great day and Christmas holiday all!
-Doc

I noticed that a few Hoggers are going back in their archives and posting some of their favorite photos with the cold weather setting in. The dragons and damsels have died off or departed with the first hard frost so I decided to post a few beetles from past shoots. I have a few others but haven't been able to identify them as of yet so I've enlisted the help of Mark.
This beetle was shot in Costa Rica. These relatives of our Marmorated Stink Bugs feed on the juices sucked from the stems of tobacco, potato, sunflower, eggplant and rice.
Red-bordered Stink Bug, (Edessa rufomarginata) by Tony Schoch, on Flickr
The second was shot locally when I lived in PA. It feeds on Dogbane and occasionally on Milkweed as it is here. It was a difficult shot for me with the iridescence and the fact that is was constantly on the move.
Dogbane Leaf Beetle (Chrysochus auratus) by Tony Schoch, on Flickr
This last one was also shot in Costa Rica. Fungus Beetle refers to their main dietary item which may come as no surprise, fungus. The bright red blotches against a black background is aposematic, or warning coloration. If molested or attacked, the Pleasing Fungus Beetle emits a foul-smelling odor that would cause most would be predators to back off.
Pleasing (Aposematic) Fungus Beetle (Cypherotylus asperus) by Tony Schoch, on Flickr
I may post a few more if we come up with an identification or I may just post for the fun of it. Have a great day and Christmas holiday all!
-Doc