Results 1 to 9 of 9

Thread: Trilobite beetle

  1. #1
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Russellville, Arkansas
    Posts
    5,189
    Threads
    674
    Thank You Posts

    Default Trilobite beetle

    Attached Images Attached Images
     
    Found this on a night walk in the tropical lowland jungle during my recent trip to Borneo. It was fascinating to learn it is the adult female of the Trilobite beetle. The male develops into an ordinary-looking beetle while the female becomes this unusual looking critter, with a huge body and tiny head! She is about the size of my thumb. These beetles are only found in southeast Asia and India. They prefer rotting logs and vegetation. I am not sure what the little crawlies are on her back. According to what I read the male dies during mating and the females dies about a week or so after depositing her eggs, thus no parental care and these are not her babies.

    Canon 5D Mark III, Canon f2.8 macro lens, ETTL flash -1, 1/100, f16, ISO 400.

  2. #2
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Santa Rosa, CA
    Posts
    9,587
    Threads
    401
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Nature is amazing -- this is a sci-fi thing! Well shot and great story. Remind me to avoid the jungles of Borneo. It was scary enough to fly over them many years ago -- no desire to get closer.

  3. #3
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
    Location
    Southwest Ohio
    Posts
    772
    Threads
    73
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    That is one freaky looking bug! Nice details along the body.

  4. #4
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Russellville, Arkansas
    Posts
    5,189
    Threads
    674
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Thank you Diane & Warren. It was certainly stepping outside my comfort zone to walk around the jungle at night poking into holes and looking under leaves.

  5. #5
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Memphis, TN
    Posts
    1,873
    Threads
    320
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Hi Nancy,
    Pretty crazy looking bug! Very interesting. I like the texture you have captured on the body. Really great find.
    Allen

  6. Thanks Nancy Bell thanked for this post
  7. #6
    Macro and Flora Moderator Jonathan Ashton's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Cheshire UK
    Posts
    17,015
    Threads
    2,604
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    A really interesting image, I suspect the little insects are mites. This really does look prehistoric I keep going back to the image I am fascinated.

  8. Thanks Nancy Bell thanked for this post
  9. #7
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Russellville, Arkansas
    Posts
    5,189
    Threads
    674
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Jonathan, I think mites are a good suggestion for those small insects. There are lots of them on her!

  10. #8
    Landscapes Moderator Andrew McLachlan's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Location
    Thornton, Ontario
    Posts
    6,039
    Threads
    480
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Fabulous capture of such a bizarre looking insect...amazing!

  11. #9
    Forum Participant BenBotha's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    Alberton, South Africa
    Posts
    569
    Threads
    126
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    I agree with the comments. It looks prehistoric. The mites just to add a little extra flavour. TFS
    Ben

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Web Analytics