glacialerratic 7 Report post Posted February 24, 2013 I collected this beetle several years ago, but have never gotten a proper ID. The length is 2cm. Any input is appreciated! Positive, wet: Negative, dry: Thanks for looking! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jpc 1,939 Report post Posted February 24, 2013 can't help with ID, but nice fossil. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Terry Dactyll 184 Report post Posted February 24, 2013 Tim... I agree with jpc.... Very detailed really... It should be able to ID it with the right reference material... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nala 387 Report post Posted February 24, 2013 Very nice Beetle! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
glacialerratic 7 Report post Posted February 24, 2013 Thanks for the comments! If anyone knows any good reference material or papers on Eocene insects, please let me know! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AgrilusHunter 46 Report post Posted February 24, 2013 Hi Tim, Lovely fossil! Unfortunately, I haven't been able to pin down an identification for you yet. The problem stems with the preservation. While it is a very nice specimen there are a number of beetle families that resemble it and the fine details needed to separate them are not well preserved. Initially I thought the design on the elytra was a preserved color pattern but I'm skeptical now. The coloration is inverted in the positive and negative suggesting to me that those sections simply separated differently in the splitting. If the pattern is real it may be a Cerambycid as they can have patterns like that. If not, I'd lean towards Tenebrionidae. That's the best I can do right now but I'll keep working on it ... I love a good challenge. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
glacialerratic 7 Report post Posted February 25, 2013 AgrilusHunter, thanks for the ID leads.... gives me something to look into. I'll take a look at the wing pattern a little closer to try and see if there is any separation apparent. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Atomic Dog 0 Report post Posted February 26, 2013 Wow. Really nice. I have a few beetles, but nothing as large as that. Yours is a keeper. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
