Onward with D. tityus

[Dynastes]

Do a search for Cotalpa lanigera in South Carolina and you'll find a list of references. The species is well-documented from that state. Here's a book reference:

Scarab beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) of South Carolina

By Phillip J. Harpootlian

Clemson University Public Service, 2001

ISBN: 097125270X

I collected a Cotalpa lanigera in St. George, South Carolina outside a hotel years ago. I did check out the line drawing but those head capsule drawings don't show any specific differences. Pelidnota is more likely but you can't be certain.

 

[Lucanus]

Do a search for Cotalpa lanigera in South Carolina and you'll find a list of references. The species is well-documented from that state. Here's a book reference:

Scarab beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) of South Carolina

By Phillip J. Harpootlian

Clemson University Public Service, 2001

ISBN: 097125270X

I collected a Cotalpa lanigera in St. George, South Carolina outside a hotel years ago. I did check out the line drawing but those head capsule drawings don't show any specific differences. Pelidnota is more likely but you can't be certain.

So they do occur in South Carolina. I never knew that.

The shape of the head capsule and the mandibles appear to be different from Pelidnota punctata. I've never seen a larva of Cotalpa before but I don't think they would look exactly like P. punctata.

We will find out what species that is when it turns into adult. One thing for sure is that that is not D. tityus larva.

 

[Ryan Minard]

Do a search for Cotalpa lanigera in South Carolina and you'll find a list of references. The species is well-documented from that state. Here's a book reference:

Scarab beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) of South Carolina

By Phillip J. Harpootlian

Clemson University Public Service, 2001

ISBN: 097125270X

I collected a Cotalpa lanigera in St. George, South Carolina outside a hotel years ago. I did check out the line drawing but those head capsule drawings don't show any specific differences. Pelidnota is more likely but you can't be certain.

I've never seen Cotalpa locally but I have seen Pelidnota. It really could be any large shining chafer but Pelidnota is one of the most common. Someone told me it looked like a lined june beetle larvae but I'm not sure.

 

[Lucanus]

I've never seen Cotalpa locally but I have seen Pelidnota. It really could be any large shining chafer but Pelidnota is one of the most common. Someone told me it looked like a lined june beetle larvae but I'm not sure.

That is definately not a lined june beetle larva. Line june beetle larva has more lighter head capsule and the mandibles and the body shape look different than the larva picture above. Also, they are not collected from dead log because they feed on plant roots.

 

[Ryan Minard]

That is definately not a lined june beetle larva. Line june beetle larva has more lighter head capsule and the mandibles and the body shape look different than the larva picture above. Also, they are not collected from dead log because they feed on plant roots.

That's why I didn't believe the asumption. I'm going to go with some shining chafer. Haha!

 

[Lucanus]

That's why I didn't believe the asumption. I'm going to go with some shining chafer. Haha!

Here are some pictures of L2 Dynastes tityus I have. He/she is slightly bigger than the average size of Pelidnota punctata larva.

 

[Ryan Minard]

Very small head. LOL!