Cute beast

Conchiolin · Post by **Conchiolin** » Thu Dec 20, 2007 7:45 pm

Hello guys look at this beast and admire its chitinous, shiny exoskeleton. I'm just posting it for identification! Thanks a lot guys!

D. Cilia · Post by **D. Cilia** » Thu Dec 20, 2007 11:08 pm

A species of scarab for sure; looks like Pentodon bidens but the thorax is too large for that. But there are about 30 indigenous species here so you won't run out of possibilities so soon

Post by **MWP admin** » Sun Dec 23, 2007 9:55 pm

Conch, you touched the wrong button ( = photographed a species from a difficult group!!)

Cilia, can you confirm the Genus at least, that is do you think it is Pentodon spp.?

Conchiolin · Post by **Conchiolin** » Mon Dec 24, 2007 9:15 am

We do have a photo of a pentodon bidens on the fauna section:

http://www.maltawildplants.com/!gfx/Nat ... ext=&type=

If it helps i found this beast together 3 other beetles but since they where on dog crap i thought it would be unsightly to take a photo of dogcrap.

To be more precise they where emerging out of a hole which was near the dog crap.

D. Cilia · Post by **D. Cilia** » Wed Dec 26, 2007 2:09 pm

MWP admin wrote:Cilia, can you confirm the Genus at least, that is do you think it is Pentodon spp.?

No! As I said it looks like Pentodon mostly, but the thorax is far larger. The 'dog crap' might be just a coincidence because as far as I know 'crap-eating' scarabs only use herbivore dung for lunch

Post by **MWP admin** » Thu Dec 27, 2007 6:54 pm

Ok.

PS is your avatar the cave of the inland sea of Dwejra or that of Cominotto?

D. Cilia · Post by **D. Cilia** » Fri Dec 28, 2007 2:44 am

First guess is correct! An amazing place for scientific endeavors of all kinds: ecological, botanical and geological. Here's the proper image for better viewing:

Post by **MWP admin** » Fri Dec 28, 2007 8:44 am

Great shot - congratulations.

D. Cilia · Post by **D. Cilia** » Fri Dec 28, 2007 5:53 pm

Thank you!