For the identification of insects and other fauna and flora of South Africa.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Snout Beetle
Besides the name: Curculionidae Brachycerus conquestus, I could not find out anything more except that they feed on lilies. This is quite a large beetle of about 2 inches in body length.
Some specimens I have found are still small like this one.
Thanks for that link. WOW!! What a terrific site. I hope one day that mine will be along those lines. I will do more browsing on it over the weekend. What I really love is that they have the pupa and larva on the butterflies and moths. It is very comprehensive.
You are SO brave Craver, I KNOW you would not run screaming down the road!! Probably you will faint and pass out before you get the chance to. LOL!! LOL!!
This is an interesting fellow. I am sure I have seen them around. To answer your question, "Do you miss them?" Not really. I grew up on a farm near the Mabula Lodge and we used lamps and candles in those days. I remember the hordes of insects that were attracted at night - they were quite a nuisance. On the other hand some real beauties also showed up.
Thanks Max. I do not know the distribution of these beetles but I am sure they cover most of the areas in SA.
That farm sounds wonderful This summer I have set my sights on doing a lot of hunting for insects such as traps and specifically putting out lights. I was amazed at the activity around that light in Warmbaths.
(lol) Maybe I would feint and pass out, Joan; maybe I would.
That is the most amazing texture on this creature's back. Since it's a type of beetle, I imagine the exterior of the abdomen was a hard, crust-like shell. Maybe we could sell it in pet stores, so that ladies could use it instead of pumice to smooth out rough skin. ;-)
Hi Joan! It's a good thing that beetle has "leaf cutter" jaws and not "piercing and sucking" mouth parts... With those hooks, it could grab on and get at least a pint or two from you... Great job on the pics as usual! The "Bug Lady" rocks!
Joan - I know that some people - the idle wealthy - (I believe from South America or Central America) have bugs encrusted or finely painted in gold paint (on the backs / wings).
These people then travel and fly into Europe and other places with these live bugs as brooches / jewellery.
My recommendation - rather leave the bugs in the natural habitats and buy metallic brooches - brooches cannot bite or lay eggs under ones skin.
That is awful Zane!! One has to speculate where such terrible ideeas came from in the first place. Maybe they watched too many James Bond movies except that woman really died?
I wanted to take off in the middle of October to go to either St Lucia or Kruger but my boss has to go to Japan then so I have to check out other dates. I like to go when there is no school holidays so I need to get hold of a list of them.
I thought the interent would improve after the 2010 Games but we have having occasional problems with it too. :(
My grandson found in my driveway and we started searching in the net for more info. This little one were a little lighter but maybe it was still a young one. I doubt if they are very harmful. This was quite an experience for my grandson searching for the correct beetle.
This is quite a large beetle of about 2 inches in body length.
Some specimens I have found are still small like this one.
49 comments:
What amazing photographs. Diane
This dude is quite an ugly bugger
In the close-up shots it looks like a science fiction character. Amazing!
Here is the link to the butterfly site I mentioned before:
http://www.leps.it/
Love the gnarly texture on this beetle...what a weevil! How big can they become?
What an incredibly textured beetle and those claws look like they sure could hold on tight. Hope it didn't leave any marks on your hand.
Thanks Diane. It was a great subject. :)
LOL!! Got to agree with you there Jonker. :)
It sure does Jose. :)
Thanks for that link. WOW!! What a terrific site. I hope one day that mine will be along those lines. I will do more browsing on it over the weekend. What I really love is that they have the pupa and larva on the butterflies and moths. It is very comprehensive.
It is always so nice to hear from you Adrian.
They can get to about 2 inches in body length. They are such lovely beetles.
Not for most of the time Gaelyn. Now and again you can feel their grip but I am used to it now. :)
I have never seen a creature like this, amazing to see it up close!
You have some really cool bugs J!
Craig Glenn
Small is relative. Around here, something that size would send half of us screaming like banshees. (Not me.)
Quite an interesting fellow I agree Tammie. :)
Thanks Craig. An ugly but kind of cute one. :)
You are SO brave Craver, I KNOW you would not run screaming down the road!! Probably you will faint and pass out before you get the chance to. LOL!! LOL!!
Looking too scary, will never dare to make it set on my hand.
This is an interesting fellow. I am sure I have seen them around.
To answer your question, "Do you miss them?" Not really. I grew up on a farm near the Mabula Lodge and we used lamps and candles in those days. I remember the hordes of insects that were attracted at night - they were quite a nuisance. On the other hand some real beauties also showed up.
very nice photo;bravo
They are all completely harmless Birdy. At most their feet will pinch you a bit as they hold onto your hand. :)
Thanks Max. I do not know the distribution of these beetles but I am sure they cover most of the areas in SA.
That farm sounds wonderful This summer I have set my sights on doing a lot of hunting for insects such as traps and specifically putting out lights. I was amazed at the activity around that light in Warmbaths.
Thanks for visiting again sebi_2569
A very interesting bug this - I would not hold it in my hand unless I had my welding gloves on.
I have two choices - either plant lots of lillies or rip those that I have growing out. Wonder what a swarm of these bugs could do to my lily crops.
Detailed information - thanks. Great photos!
Joan: What a monster, you grow them big at your home. I think Craver would be running like a girl.
Poor bug!! He would be more frightened of you than the other way around Zane. :)
Dont take the lilies out, these beetles will not have anything to eat if you do. :)
We are like Texas Ton, everything is bigger here. LOL!!
I have to agree with you about Craver but we will not tell him about this conversation will we? LOL!!
That beetle's texture is amazing; like a mini basketball or an old citrus fruit rind. The yellow markings make it look kind of cute.
(lol) Maybe I would feint and pass out, Joan; maybe I would.
That is the most amazing texture on this creature's back. Since it's a type of beetle, I imagine the exterior of the abdomen was a hard, crust-like shell. Maybe we could sell it in pet stores, so that ladies could use it instead of pumice to smooth out rough skin. ;-)
You are right Diane, it does look kind of cirtrus-like. :)
Oops!! NOW I have put my foot in it. :)
You have a brilliant idea there Craver, maybbe I should start mareting them and make a fortune. LOL!! It might start a new Beetle Mania. :)
This is a interesting little critter Joan. You have excellant detail too. Look at those claws..
B.
It looks like it is made out of rusted metal :-)
It sure is an interesting one Becky. Those claws are good for pinching me to hold on. :)
LOL!! No wonder they are sometimes so hard to find as they fit right into their backgrounds.
Hi Joan! It's a good thing that beetle has "leaf cutter" jaws and not "piercing and sucking" mouth parts... With those hooks, it could grab on and get at least a pint or two from you... Great job on the pics as usual! The "Bug Lady" rocks!
Love the bug! It's been too long, I must come back and catch up. I always like seeing your photos.
Joan - I know that some people - the idle wealthy - (I believe from South America or Central America) have bugs encrusted or finely painted in gold paint (on the backs / wings).
These people then travel and fly into Europe and other places with these live bugs as brooches / jewellery.
My recommendation - rather leave the bugs in the natural habitats and buy metallic brooches - brooches cannot bite or lay eggs under ones skin.
Now that is a face, body and legs that only a Mother could love....
If it had all those parts, I would definitely NOT be picking it up Mike!! :) I know when I am safe. Thanks. :)
Thanks Sandy. Good to hear from you too and I see you changed your avatar.
That is awful Zane!! One has to speculate where such terrible ideeas came from in the first place. Maybe they watched too many James Bond movies except that woman really died?
Especially the face Michelle. LOL!! If one does not look too closely, it is kind of cute. :)
Joan this little fella looks like a tough little tank
I agree Philip. Where have you been? Don't tell me to Kruger again? :)
Nope going there end of September again last week had not much internet kept going off !! Sorry :(
I wanted to take off in the middle of October to go to either St Lucia or Kruger but my boss has to go to Japan then so I have to check out other dates. I like to go when there is no school holidays so I need to get hold of a list of them.
I thought the interent would improve after the 2010 Games but we have having occasional problems with it too. :(
The close ups are amazing...
Thanks Sandy. It is a most interesting beetle.
My grandson found in my driveway and we started searching in the net for more info. This little one were a little lighter but maybe it was still a young one. I doubt if they are very harmful. This was quite an experience for my grandson searching for the correct beetle.
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