Post by trehopr1 on Jun 8, 2020 6:59:57 GMT
I thought I would post two images of a couple of the more curious looking Cerambycidae in my collection. Both were acquired years ago when odd things like this sometimes showed up on the market. Nowadays however, things like these (I believe) are seldom if ever offered.
First up is my specimen of what is called the "Mole beetle" (Hypocephalus armatus). One of the strangest looking beetles in the world and certainly nothing that most of us Entomology "types" would ever take as being a Cerambycid beetle...
It is the only species in the genus Hypocephalus. The subfamily is the Anoplodermatinae and it was described by Desmarest in 1832. So, it has been known for quite a long time. It is said to have a digging habit (which seems obvious by its build) and lives in underground galleries. It is endemic to Brazil (to the best of my knowledge) and, only from two regions at that.
My specimen is from southern Bahia,Brazil and was collected in February 1974.
Another very unusual looking Cerambycid is the one pictured below. I've also had this one quite a few years and always liked it.
As you can see, it has some truly elongated hind legs which are thickly covered by a dense pile of "fuzzy" long hairs. I have not been able to find out anything particular about this species (or its brethren) however, judging by it's light build, bright coloration, and flight wings it is likely a "fleet of foot" day-flier which has evolved as a Hymenopteran mimic.
If any of the beetle folks out there should ever read this and can tell us more about either species than I look forward to any interesting comments.
First up is my specimen of what is called the "Mole beetle" (Hypocephalus armatus). One of the strangest looking beetles in the world and certainly nothing that most of us Entomology "types" would ever take as being a Cerambycid beetle...
It is the only species in the genus Hypocephalus. The subfamily is the Anoplodermatinae and it was described by Desmarest in 1832. So, it has been known for quite a long time. It is said to have a digging habit (which seems obvious by its build) and lives in underground galleries. It is endemic to Brazil (to the best of my knowledge) and, only from two regions at that.
My specimen is from southern Bahia,Brazil and was collected in February 1974.
Another very unusual looking Cerambycid is the one pictured below. I've also had this one quite a few years and always liked it.
As you can see, it has some truly elongated hind legs which are thickly covered by a dense pile of "fuzzy" long hairs. I have not been able to find out anything particular about this species (or its brethren) however, judging by it's light build, bright coloration, and flight wings it is likely a "fleet of foot" day-flier which has evolved as a Hymenopteran mimic.
If any of the beetle folks out there should ever read this and can tell us more about either species than I look forward to any interesting comments.
