Oct 18, 2019
#1508 - Scaraphites sp. Ground Beetle
Spotted by Rob Middleton at Mount Lesueur. Mt Lesueur is a near-circular, flat-topped mesa near Jurien Bay 220km north of Perth, and is an area of AMAZING plant diversity.
It also has these rather amazing predatory beetles, up to 5cm long. They live underground, or in broad tunnels under rocks or logs they dig with therir shovel-like front legs. They’re mainly nocturnal, hunting other invertebrates that are easily dispatched with their fearsome jaws. They’ll also carve up kangaroo scat, presumably seeking insect larvae. The seven species of Scaraphites are reasonably common in suitable habitat, preferring sandy heathland.
