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Darkling beetle

Tenebrionidae fam.

Photo by Tiz
Published on Project Noah
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Field Notes

Description:

15-20 mm. Quite slow in the movements. I made them climp up on a small stone, and they sat there wery nicely without any intentions to leave.

Habitat:

On a trail on the ground, parttly hidden under a rock.
(Trail to waterfall caves, Mlawula Nature Reserve)

Notes:

This beetle just looks ancient to me. I dont even know in what family to put it. Oil beetle with a helmet? :D

Species ID Suggestions

Darkling beetle

Tenebrionidae

Reference Link
Arya
1

Comments (16)
Tiz
Thank you for your comments EnvUnlimited and RiekoS. Sintija. I missed the eclipse, but thanks a lot for the faschinating information. I go to Swaziland every now and then. It is a beautiful country and only 1,5 hours drive from Maputo, Mozambique. It is my weekend escape :)
Sintija Valucka
Tiz, are you now in Swaziland? :) judging by the map here (http://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/get-ready-hybrid-solar-eclipse-on-november-3) tomorrow you will be able to see at least something of the Hybrid Solar eclipse :)) Don't forget to take a photo of some great animals who will be enjoying the eclipse :D :)
RiekoS
These bugs look like from ancient time. Very nice.
Sckel
Oh, it was you who transported them for small stones? So I can suggest a speech bubble: - What is happening, joshua? - I do not know, just stand still and smile;
Tiz
Sckel, I placed them on the stones, and they liked them! They were very slow in reaction and movement... Good models in other words. This thread is a great example of when community cooperation can lead to an ID. Thank you to all of your contributions! I will add the common and scientific family name, but I will keep it as unidentified for a little while longer...
Fanie
Agree with Lauren. Darklingbeetle (Tenebrionidae) Something similar to this: http://www.ispot.org.za/node/194902?nav=search
LaurenZarate
They look like Tenebrionids to me. They are gorgeous! And do look really prehistoric!
Sckel
Adorable siblings beetles. Each chooses his stone to better see the events. I had never seen these, thanks for sharing.
Arya
Think that might be it!
Tiz
Thanks to both of you, I found this http://www.beetlesofafrica.com/beetle_detail.asp?beetleid=1047&page=1&count=y I dont think it is the one, but closer for sure! Thanks!
Tiz
And thank you Ingrid for the comment, I agree that there are some similareties to some of the tenebrionid beetles. Perhaps this is a clue :)
Tiz
Thank you Arya. It is just that I dont have any references when it comes to this beetle. The body shape perhaps an oil beetle? But the jaws reminds me of a Longhorn beetle (without longhorns haha) So it probably is something completely different to all of this. Living on the ground.. Hmm, a dung beetle? But it does not look like a scarab at all...
Arya
Couldnt find anything on here... http://www.beetlesofafrica.com/cat_select.asp?page=1&onecrit=&searchterm=
Ingrid3
What a adorable face! There are tenebrionid bettles i saw in a SW American desert that look similar.

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Mlawula Nature Reserve
Photographed
PublishedOctober 28, 2013

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