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8-bit Beetle
The color pattern of this Carpet Beetle reminds me of a low-resolution digital print, so i call it a 8-bit beetle ;)
The Athrenus species are also called 'museum beetles' because they feed on dead insects. They can ruin a (dead) insect collection.
This beetle is alive and after a few minutes it decided to quit modelling and ran away. It is very small (about 3mm long) so I had to use a macro extension tube (2:1). For reference, the plastic plate the beetle is sitting on is 0,7mm thick.
The varied carpet beetle is a 3 mm-long beetle belonging to the family Dermestidae. They are a common species, often considered a pest of domestic houses and, particularly, natural history museums, where the larvae may damage natural fibers and can damage carpets, furniture, clothing, and insect collections. "A. verbasci" was also the first insect to be shown to have an annual behavioral rhythm and to date remains a classic example of circannual cycles in animals.
comments (6)
Btw: Nice shot, Joost. Posted 13 years ago
About identification. I didn't now the name either but did some searching at google images. Typing in something like 'beetle small orange' and then see if any of the images matches my beetle.
I eventually found a match at http://www.ahw.me/indexkevers.html. I can really recommend visiting this site (dutch). Lots of beetles and even more categories at the homepage. Chances are big you will stumble upon some insects you already photographed. Posted 13 years ago