Brown Rove Beetle (Platydracus maculosus)

At the disturbed edge of a dense mixed forest (on a chert drive).
This adorable beetle was in no mood to be disturbed. It attempted to hide under rocks. When (gently) prodded it raised its abdomen in the air like a scorpion!

comments (5)

Christine Young

Lion

Fantastic find! It's crazy that JD only has 12 photos of rove beetles! Posted 6 years ago
1. Flown Kimmerling
  
  Lion
  
  I know! I just don't think they are a very common find in general!
  
  Also, don't forget to add this to your Beetle Mania list (if you so desired)! Staphylinidae are so weird! Have you seen how they fold their wings under the tiny elytra? :O I couldn't believe they still were fully functional! Posted 6 years ago
2. 1. Christine Young
    
    Lion
    
    I rarely see them, and when I do, they escape before I can shoot.
    
    Thanks for the reminder, I forgot they were beetles ;P. Derp derp derp. Posted 6 years ago
  2. 1. Flown Kimmerling
      
      Lion
      
      They are quite fast, so I can see why they are rarely photographed! I couldn't shoot fast enough once it made its escape! Posted 6 years ago
    2. 1. Christine Young
        
        Lion
        
        Definitely. Oddly, rove beetles creep me out a bit when they raise their abdomen. Their trickery works, at least on me. Posted 6 years ago