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Carrion beetle
Ptomaphila lacrymosa
-37.8938, 145.312
Field Notes
Description:
Very flat (similar to some cockroaches) and about 24mm long. This species has tubercules on elytra. Black with tan colouring at margins. Beaded antennae with distinctive yellow tips.
Habitat:
This one was attracted to very bright night lights at a local used car yard.
Notes:
Apparently these rest by day in shaded places and become active at night. They seek out carrion by scent. To assist in their activities around a corpse they are gifted with a flexible abdomen. Described as 'vultures' of the beetle world it's a rotten job but something has to do it. Although they perform a grizzly task they represent no threat to human health. Thanks to Stephen Thorpe for identity. The same species seen 18 months earlier http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/8077680
..and here they are in action on a rat corpse 8-) http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KMSdjb0fvhA/SbTMGvrUGdI/AAAAAAAACH8/sqTs7BJU4…
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