Platyrhinus resinosus Cramp-Balls Fungus Weevil

e6filmuser

Also known as the Scarce Fungus Weevil or Resin Weevil. It's one of the weirdest-looking beetles.

I nearly overlooked this beetle. I saw some dark marks on long grass in our garden. I thought they were bird droppings. The left one was but the right one was this beetle. It was in shade in early morning light. Even at ISO 5000 I struggled to get sharp images. These are just adequate to show what this looks like.

The larvae develop inside the black fungus known as King Alfred's Cakes or Cramp Balls Daldinia concentrica
which we have in our garden but not in the part where I found it.

I have never seen this beetle before.

Olympus EM-1 (aperture priority), Olympus 4/3 x2 TC, Olympus 4/3 50mm f2 macro, 1/160 at f 8 & 1/50 at f11, hand-held.

It was 1:1, FOV 17.5mm wide. There was a gentle but gusting breeze.

Harold

Lord Vetinari

Interesting find

Brian V.

e6filmuser

@Lord Vetinari said:
Interesting find

Brian V.

Thanks, Brian.

I will be looking out for it so I can get some decent shots.

Harold