tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12033780.post2408365887980857138..comments2024-01-05T01:53:05.878-08:00Comments on Am I Bugging You Yet?: A Shiny New Beetlevanessa carduihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01276966298881636176noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12033780.post-36840324007682729452008-12-28T23:07:00.000-08:002008-12-28T23:07:00.000-08:00I believe this is a species in the related genus P...I believe this is a species in the related genus <I>Poecilonota</I>, probably either <I>P. californica</I> or <I>P. salixi</I> which are known to breed in willow and poplar (same plant family as alder). They are strictly dead wood breeders, so they don't have any real economic importance.<BR/><BR/>The brilliant blue coloration on top of the abdomen is something a lot of buprestid beetles exhibit. It could be "flash coloration" intended to confuse pursuing predators (i.e. birds).<BR/><BR/>Nice series of pics.<BR/><BR/>regards--tedAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com