Mojave desert beetles and bugs

[Trailblazr80]

Went to Mojave (around the poppy reserve area and Ripley park) and found lots of insects! A cool find was 2 pairs of mating blister beetles. No collecting, photos only. If anyone can identify anything else, please do- especially that red guy with wings on the purple flowers.

 

[Amici Con Coleotteri]

I can't help much, but wow those are some great photos! Totally jealous!

(I like blister beetles!)

 

[Trailblazr80]

Thanks! Ha. It's just an iPhone. I'd love to have the equipment for macro shots.

 

[Amici Con Coleotteri]

You and me both! Your iphone is better than my canon powershot! Hahaha

 

[Greatwun]

Great finds, here we have saw palmettos and when they flower there are tons of insects that gather to them.

 

[Trailblazr80]

Great finds, here we have saw palmettos and when they flower there are tons of insects that gather to them.

Thank you. It's great when things are in bloom, so much to see.

 

[Lucanus]

That red wasp looks very similar to this one :

http://bugguide.net/node/view/176341/bgpage

 

[Trailblazr80]

That red wasp looks very similar to this one :

http://bugguide.net/node/view/176341/bgpage

That looks about right. I'm thinking it might be Sphex ashmeadi.