Friday, April 4, 2014

Red Flat Bark Beetle

This guy showed up on my steps this week and that bright color caught my eye right away.    It's a Red Flat Bark Beetle - Cucujus clavipes

Turns out they are a species with extreme freezing tolerance.   Which explains why it's one of the few bugs we've seen this spring. 

Except for the flies.   And those horrible Asian ladybugs.  Both of which will survive the next global apocalypse, I'm sure. 

Anyway, this red guy survives the cold by utilizing a series of antifreeze proteins in its body.   Cool! 

or rather....Cold!
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