Please help ID this beautiful beetle!

**Ben Brewcat** · 07-26-2007, 11:50 PM

We've seen a number of these huge beetles. Akmost 1" long.

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a60...6-07III009.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a60...6-07III004.jpg

We're on the front range in Northern Colorado at about 5200 feet. Never seen them before (that I noticed anyway) in 9 years here. Predictably, terrible fliers... just bomb into anything in their way (like me). Those antennae open up into beautiful fans, perhaps three times their folded width. Seem to see them more in evening time. This one sat totally docilely while I nudged and photo'd it. I think it hissed at me earlier but it was noisy; can't be sure.

Any help?

**mattoleriver** · 07-27-2007, 01:47 AM

Looks like a June Beetle to me.
http://www.parfaitimage.com/Insecta/...emlineata.html
In the summer they were really very common on the beach where I rode motorcycles in northern California. Hitting one of these big guys at 60-70 MPH will darn near knock you right off a bike! They're harmless but their feet can really grip onto your clothing, that kinda worries some folks.
George

**George Fergusson** · 07-27-2007, 03:51 AM

It doesn't look like our June beetles- they don't have the stripes or those big front spade feet. Cool beetle! No eye deer what kind it is.

**Hobie** · 07-27-2007, 05:51 AM

It looks like a potato beetle, but those are much smaller. The potato beetle is also more yellow with black stripes, yours looks black with yellow stripes.

http://www.ivyhall.district96.k12.il...olpotbeet.html

I'll forward the link to my brother-in-law the entomologist.

**Hobie** · 07-27-2007, 09:38 AM

This from my brother-in-law at Cornell:

"That's a tenlined June beetle, Polyphylla decemlineata. Nice one!"

**Ben Brewcat** · 07-27-2007, 11:06 AM

Thanks folks! I'm normally not terribly enthused about huge crunchy beetles whapping into me (from a childhood bite that scared the heck outta me), but this one was so striking! I have a house full of guests that'll be interested to know who we have!

**Ann** · 07-27-2007, 03:29 PM

Originally Posted by Hobie

This from my brother-in-law at Cornell:

"That's a tenlined June beetle, Polyphylla decemlineata. Nice one!"

Here's a good link for it.

**aidah** · 07-27-2007, 08:42 PM

Ann this is a great web page. I live in fla. Lots of bugs here. thanks

**Barry Digman** · 07-28-2007, 07:59 AM

Originally Posted by Ben Brewcat

Thanks folks! I'm normally not terribly enthused about huge crunchy beetles whapping into me (from a childhood bite that scared the heck outta me), but this one was so striking! I have a house full of guests that'll be interested to know who we have!

It's like watching a big old '58 Buick with bad ball joints and a trunk full of cement bags when these things fly. Once they get going, they're pretty quick. But of the ones I see, steering isn't their strong suit.