Valgus canaliculatus (Olivier 1789)

When handled, they play dead for quite a while, making it easy to get photos. The scales are quite something on this beetle--they look almost like mites.PCCA20080423-0739A

Found on flowers of Downy arrowwood, Viburnum rafinesquianum. It played dead for a long time, but then finally started crawling around. Length 4.5 mm. These things have a commensal (?) relationship with termites, and this one looks like it has been digging in the dirt--perhaps emerged from its pupation site? They come to flowers in spring, but presumably spend most of their life cycle with their termite hosts.-BugGuide accountPCCA20080423-0741A

Washington, District of Columbia, United States

I used to have trouble finding this beetle, but this past spring I realized they come to this flower fairly commonly, but have to be searched out carefully, as they look like a little bit of dead flower. I found several in just a few minutes of searching. Much of their lives is apparently spent in association with termites, but they do come to flowers in spring--I presume as they disperse in search of mates. This one is on Downy arrowwood, Viburnum rafinesquianum.PCCA20080425-0858A

Washington, District of Columbia, United States