What is this bug? Sexy Red Heads...

[Ganoderma]

they are about 3 cm and a nice black colour with red head. They eat leaves (they eat a LOT of leaves!!!!!) and are breeding right now. they were found in Gi kua, pindong, taiwan (randolph, any pointers?) in a fairly moist semi-open forest in teh mountains (maybe 1000m above sea level, giv eor take).

I need to emphasive sex and food, cause thats all i have seen them do!

 

[insect714]

No clue what they are but sure are cool looking thanks for sharing...

Jon Insect

 

[jarrell]

wow really cool insects, but i dont know what they are either.

 

[Scolopendra55]

Their blister beetles family Meloidae

 

[kimski]

Nice bugs - I want some!

 

[lucanidae]

I only count 4 tarsal segments on the first leg, and although it is really hard to tell from the picture, that would make it not a Melodiae. Although it does resemble that family.

 

[Ganoderma]

there are still a couple hanging aound the house (i grabbed a few from the mountains ) Is there a certain part of their body that would help? i can get better pictures, those were in a rush as we were loosing light.

thanks for the feedback

 

[Dark Raptor]

Scolopendra55 was right, this is probably Epicauta hirticornis (Meloidae).

 

[Dark Raptor]

I only count 4 tarsal segments on the first leg, and although it is really hard to tell from the picture, that would make it not a Melodiae. Although it does resemble that family.

It is not clearly visible in the second picture but in the first you can see that they've got feet arranged in 5-5-4, characteristic for Heteromera group.

Yes, I forgot to add that beetles are really nice. Be carefull with them. It is possible that this specie produce cantharidin, strong toxin that can diffuse through skin. It is also known as strong aphrodisiac

 

[Ganoderma]

hmmmm...the jar was in teh bedroom last night :drool:

would better pictures of the legs be worth while? or are you pretty sure it is Epicauta hirticornis? i'm looking them up now thanks guys!

 

[Dark Raptor]

hmmmm...the jar was in teh bedroom last night :drool:

would better pictures of the legs be worth while? or are you pretty sure it is Epicauta hirticornis? i'm looking them up now thanks guys!

I think I don't need additional pics, but every picture with the new, beautifull specie will be appreciated...
When ID beetles form pics you can't be sure that you are correct. Especially when identified specie is from Asia and you work with european entomofauna.
As I've checked in the Internet, there are probably two very similar species E. hirticornis and E. tibialis. I can't tell you which you have found.

 

[jarrell]

these are cool looking beetles!

Epicauta waterhousel
Epicauta hirticornis

are my guesses from wings i say hirticornis