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Post by trehopr1 on Sept 29, 2017 3:00:16 GMT
Here is a large and fine example of the Tarandus stag beetle (Mesotopus tarandus) of Central west Africa. A friend of mine really did the species justice with his fine pinning job. It is said to be the largest of the African lucanidae and most certainly looks intimidating. One of my personal favorites among the awesome Lucanidae. It seems built like a tank but, polished like a fine Mercedes.
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Post by trehopr1 on Sept 29, 2017 3:01:12 GMT
This Buprestid beetle species also caught my eye in his collection as well. It has a most unusual shade of blue overall ending in wing covers of a blood red shade. It may be a Calodema species but, I'm not certain. If anyone out there is familiar with this species I would appreciate a name and whether it is common. I've not seen this one before.
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Post by Lucanidae on Oct 3, 2017 13:49:39 GMT
The Buprestid is Temognatha bonvouloiri and they are from Western Australia. They only feed on flowers so all the conditions have to be perfect before they come out and that might be every five to ten years but when they are out they are common.
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Post by trehopr1 on Oct 4, 2017 21:47:16 GMT
A sincere thank you Lucanidae for your expertise. We really do need more coleoptera folks on the forum! As a new member to the forum I welcome you and look forward to any input or guidance you can provide.
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Post by Lucanidae on Oct 4, 2017 22:43:46 GMT
The Mesotopus and Allotopus are closely related. When the Japanese first started breeding them, they were using oyster mushrooms and all the adults came out black with no golden colour, then they tried a woody mushrooms and they finally developed their natural golden dusty colour.
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Post by africaone on Oct 10, 2017 6:11:00 GMT
Here is a large and fine example of the Tarandus stag beetle (Mesotopus tarandus) of Central west Africa. A friend of mine really did the species justice with his fine pinning job. It is said to be the largest of the African lucanidae and most certainly looks intimidating. One of my personal favorites among the awesome Lucanidae. It seems built like a tank but, polished like a fine Mercedes. what is the locality of the Mesotopus ? Thierry
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