Earth-Boring Dung Beetle - Enoplotrupes sharpi

This beetle was so hard to photograph. It is super shiny and covered in mud/dung.

*Pinned specimen

comments (4)

Ferdy Christant

Lion

Can relate to the problem, you did well though! Posted 3 years ago
1. Christine Young
  
  Lion
  
  Thanks Ferdy. I have some side shots showing its horns, but those will take quite a bit of photoshopping because of the debris (and mite carcassses) that are practically glued to its head. I cleaned it as well as I could, but it is very subpar. Posted 3 years ago
2. 1. Ferdy Christant
    
    Lion
    
    I had that problem too with some beetles: dirt that is so stuck that you can't realistically rub it off. Based on Allen Wall's info, it's commonly a problem for beetle specimens that are put in an oven to speed up the drying process. This will expel some body fluids that are then "cooked" into the surface.
    
    Butylglycol is recommended for this, but it's very dangerous stuff, and the first time I tried it, it didn't really work for me. It evaporates almost immediately. Posted 3 years ago
  2. 1. Christine Young
      
      Lion
      
      Oh, interesting...I have no idea how this beetle was dried, but the issues with baking them make sense. Back when I was curating my collection, I never cleaned specimens -- everything either got pinned or preserved in alcohol. I've frozen and boiled bugs, but never baked them. I was mainly only concerned with the IDs.
      
      I'll avoid using butylglycol and just complain about the debris on specimens instead. ;P I actually don't mind the mud/poop spots on this beetle, but the lint/dust was annoying. I guess the mite carcasses are okay too. They add character. Posted 3 years ago