myrmecos.net

Lutrochus sp. - Travertine Beetle
Lutrochidae
Arizona, USA

photograph © Alex Wild 2007

 Insect species can be extremely specialized in their habits.  The beetle pictured here lives submerged in rivers on a particular type of limestone rock.  The beetle's long claws help it cling to the substrate against a strong current, and the fine covering of velvet hairs traps air so the beetle can breathe underwater.

 
USA AZ Yavapai County: Red Rock Crossing
34º49'N 111º48'W, 1200m, vi.2007
Beetles clinging to stones in river.


This image is copyrighted by the photographer and cannot be used without permission. To obtain permission to use this image, please email Alex Wild. (alwild (at) myrmecos.net).  Most of the photographs on myrmecos.net are reduced from their original size and compressed for more efficient web transmission.  In some cases, higher quality versions are available.

This image was captured with a Canon EOS 20D, using a Canon 65mm MPE 1-5x Macro Lens.