Bee Beetle?

[bethanyfarah]

Hi all!

I was driving in the middle of Tucson AZ and this crazy looking insect flew in my window. I think it's a beetle because of the fan shaped antenna and it had chewing mouthparts and what looks like severely reduced elytra. Whenever I try to look anything like this up all I get is info about a scarab beetle that is definitely not the correct species. Any help?

imgur.com/gallery/ExfYV92

[alandmor]

Apr 28, 2021 5:12:00 GMT -8 bethanyfarah said:

Hi all!

I was driving in the middle of Tucson AZ and this crazy looking insect flew in my window. I think it's a beetle because of the fan shaped antenna and it had chewing mouthparts and what looks like severely reduced elytra. Whenever I try to look anything like this up all I get is info about a scarab beetle that is definitely not the correct species. Any help?

imgur.com/gallery/ExfYV92

It looks like a species of Rhipiphorus, commonly called wedge-shaped beetles: bugguide.net/node/view/413853

Some have quite interesting biology as parasites of other insects and some larvae are what's known as "hypermetamorhpic": bee/wasp parasites lay eggs on/near flowers, sometimes inside flower buds. Larvae attach to visiting bees and are taken back to nest, where they are internal parasites of larval hymenoptera, in some cases only in early stages. Some are reported to feed on leaves in later stages. Adults are short-lived."

bugguide.net/node/view/4620

Cool beetles!