Calosoma wilcoxi
Back at the end April I had a chance to escape from classes and get out into the field for a weekend of collecting and photography. The day was slightly cooler than anticipated but still productive; throughout the day I saw numerous Calosoma wilcoxi scuttling about. While smaller than its larger cousin C. scrutator, this species is still quite vividly colored – a striking combination of green, blue and some red edging.
The sheer number of beetle present was possibly the most surprising; I saw beetles running on the trunks of tress, on the road, and even, in copious amounts, in the leavings from a small mammal. This did make for many great, though at times frustrating, photographic opportunities.
Further information on Calosoma wilcoxi, C. scrutator, or on all of the species from Virginia.
Nice blog Chris! I assume that this was at the VCU Rice Center during the Mid Atlantic Beetle Bash. I had never seen this species in numbers before, although I did collect about a dozen specimens or so from pit fall traps that I had placed there last year.
Amazing pictures, love the level of detail