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Post by Rev. Redmond Farrier on Apr 15, 2012 23:42:58 GMT -8
I found what appears to be a Cotalpa lanigera, the gold bug. I am fairly certain of my identification, but I have been wrong before. Bug guide has a rather vague generality for a range and Wikipedia only has one dark photo and no information. After several pages of Google results, I found a range for it that goes as far south as the carolinas, but I found this one about 60 miles south of Atlanta. Have I found a stray, or have I totally misidentified this beetle? Sorry for the poor photo. It was just a quick snapshot before it got surrounded by pins. Attachments:
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Post by timsbugs on Apr 16, 2012 9:24:15 GMT -8
I would agree with your ID. It is also commonly known as the goldsmith beetle.
I would say that you are well within its range, I have even collected them up here in central Canada, but usually not until May. Gorgeous beetle for North America.
Tim
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Post by Rev. Redmond Farrier on Apr 16, 2012 11:04:15 GMT -8
Thanks for the conformation. I meant to post this in ID request, but it was nearly 5am here and I clicked the wrong place. I was surprised to find so little information on such a beautiful beetle. Usually bug guide has tons of information on the more showy insects like this one. It kind of threw me when the only detailed range I could find said it found as far south as the carolinas. I guess I forgot that South Carolina dips down about as far south as I am.
I just kind of wonder how that hole wound up in its left elytron. That is the only flaw I can find on this specimen.
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Post by timsbugs on Apr 16, 2012 14:56:21 GMT -8
Here is a picture of one I got last spring, showing some of the iridescence they have. Tim Attachments:
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ckswank
Full Member
Posts: 239
Country: USA
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Post by ckswank on Apr 17, 2012 20:30:20 GMT -8
Nice find!
Charlie
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Post by mantisboy on Apr 19, 2012 17:46:57 GMT -8
Here is another picture of a speciman. This one was actually found near the bright lights of a factory. Nice find, I haven't found one since this one. Attachments:
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Post by mountainpathfinder on May 6, 2012 16:40:36 GMT -8
I have found many in northwest Georgia . I was unaware that they were out of the recognized range here. I am glad that you raised the question.
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Post by Rev. Redmond Farrier on May 15, 2012 15:10:24 GMT -8
Actually, they are in their recognized range there. When I was questioning the range, I had somehow forgotten that South Carolina is not actually north of Georgia, but rather beside us for the most part. The southernmost point of South Carolina is actually farther south than Atlanta. So "as far south as the Carolinas" would include much of Georgia.
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