A Beetle (Three Photographs)

Platynus cincticollis-3To view more of my photography please click on www.rakmilphotography.com

This is a member of the Carabidae family of beetles and probably Playtinus Cincticollis. Finding the name for an insect is part of the fun (sometimes all I can find is the Latin name). These are common and normally nocturnal but attracted to light. I saw it in a shady corner and without artificial light it would have been impossible to shoot. Now these beetles tend to eat other insects, often pests, so they are welcome in many places. Their defense is a noxious spray that can hurt other animals including humans (something I was unaware of when I took these shots). What was noticeable in the time I spent taking the pictures was that this was a deliberate creature with long legs capable of significant speed, but it was moving slowly examining everything including me. It is not one of the more beautiful beetles but it certainly has presence.

Platynus cincticollis-2

Platynus cincticollis

12 responses

  1. An Entomologist

    This is a beetle in the family Cerambycidae, longhorned beetles. Platynus cincticollis is entirely dark colored. Nice shots though.

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    June 13, 2018 at 1:44 pm

  2. Great pictures; I particularly like the second where it seems to be cheekily peeping through the leaves at you 🙂

    Like

    July 8, 2016 at 12:58 pm

  3. Ed

    Love the 2nd picture, just looking up at you 🙂

    Like

    July 8, 2016 at 6:14 am

  4. Now this is my kind of bug – a gardener’s friend! ;-D

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    July 7, 2016 at 2:46 pm

  5. Fabulous shots.

    Like

    July 7, 2016 at 1:26 pm

  6. Intersting insect.

    Like

    July 7, 2016 at 2:22 am

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