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Orion Davidson | profile | all galleries >> Landscapes >> Into the Big Empty >> Critters of The Big Empty >> The Killpecker Beetle tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

The Killpecker Beetle

Beetle found high atop the Killpecker Dunes in the wilderness study area.

Probable Identification:
Polyphylla decemlineata - Ten-lined June Beetle
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyphylla_decemlineata

It MIGHT be a different species evolved for a desert sand environment. June Beetles generally feed on the needles of coniferous trees. There are no coniferous trees in the Killpecker Dunes.

Also, this particular beetle has much smaller front feelers than a typical Ten-lined June Beetle.
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