WhatsThatBug.com Scores Again: Giant Harlequin Beetle
Submitted by Taran on Sat, 10/20/2007 - 10:36
When I saw this insect at the Paramaribo Airport on the way out of Suriname, I was intrigued. 3-4 inches long, and very interesting patterns on its back (click image to see larger version) - I was curious to know what it was, guessing it to be some form of soldier beetle. I couldn't find it on the web anywhere, so I decided to write What's That Bug? and within 24 hours - despite being swamped, they identified it as a Harlequin Beetle, Acrocinus longimanus. Apparently, this is the first bit of information on it on the web, as searching for Harlequin Beetle and Acrocinus longimanus turns up absolutely no results at the time of this writing other than noting that it is missing in the Wikipedia. Go figure.
In searching around for information on it, I found out that longimanus is 'μακρόχειρ "Macrocheir (Latin =Longimanus)"' through the referencec on Artaxerxes I of Persia, which is related to the disparity in length of appendages. Interesting stuff.
Daniel Marlos of WhatsThatBug.com wrote:
Hi Taran,
We are happy to hear you are able to easily identify most of your
insects through our site. This is a Giant Harlequin Beetle, Acrocinus
longimanus. It is found in many South American countries. Your
specimen is a female. The is a marked sexual dimorphism found in this
species, with the forelegs of the male beetles being nearly twice as
long as those of the female.
Thanks, Daniel and everyone else at WhatsThatBug.com for creating such a valuable resource!
Digital photos + internet + knowledgeable people = Spreading of Knowledge.
I wonder whether internet penetration is a factor in this incident; apparently the insect is quite common... but it hasn't been on the web before.
There is probably a reason for that ...
Those who are familliar with this little beastie probably figure everyone knows what they know and that goes for even the bugs on the tile. Let's face it - if a critter doesn't involve itself in one's daily life, it likely won't cross one's mind to find out what it is. At any rate, it is nice that you got such good pictures of it, and now when the next person turns to the internet to find out what that particular critter is, they can be directed to you and you (ta-da!) will have a positive effect in the bug department.
Funny - I'd have thought Jaime would have been the one to find such beetles "...interesting" --!
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