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Sepidium bidentatum
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
Bicycling in Tunisia:
When visiting Dougga, a Punian- Roman archaeological site, you should have your eyes on columns, stelae and the like. But this weird little beetle (Sepidium bidentatum (Solier); Tenebrionidae, Sepidiini) will distract any biologist easily. Notice how it tiptoes, presumably to avoid the heat of the ground. It's camouflage is an adaptation to gravelly surroundings, but here it is pictured on a Roman pavement slab
The animal can be found in Western North Africa but also in Spain and Southern Italy. There are other species of this genus, but the others have a longitudinal slit on the prothorax.
ID: the website "inaturalist" ( https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/47593-Tenebrionoidea) presents Tenebrionids of the world
I also consulted J.+H. Haupt, 1993, "Insekten und Spinnentiere am Mittelmeer". Franckh-Kosmos, Stuttgart |
ramthakur has marked this note useful
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A very interesting insect you captured in Tunisia a couple of years ago, Dietrich.
Amazingly sharp focus. I like the shadow of the subject just beneath it. Apparently a mid day shot.
Good to see your work again.
Ram
- tuslaw
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2754 W: 282 N: 4931]](https://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(19883) - [2017-10-26 11:15]
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Hello Dietrich,
Awesome image of this beetle out for a stroll. I saw similar beetles in Israel during the month of March. Exceptional detail and perfectly exposed.
Ron
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- lousat
(65489)
- [2017-10-27 13:39]
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Hi Dietrich,i been me too in Dougga but i haven't seen this very curious bug..ehehe..great capture from above,the long legs reminds me a jeep for difficult roads. Great 3D effect made by its shadow on the ground. Have a nice weekend and thanks,Luciano
