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Brass Knuckles, Pt. 3 - _TNY_8816

Have a look at the forearms on this marbled rose-chafer (Protaetia marmorata) which I caught eating leftover watermelon in the garden compost bin. Pretty impressive spikes there.

 

The marbled rose-chafer is the largest rose-chafer in Sweden and just like the other eight species, they have really grippy feet. My son describes it like they've got velcro on the underside - you pick them up and then you literally have to peel them off.

 

Another thing about this one is that it has passengers. Zoom in and you can see a whole bunch of tiny phoretic mites which piggyback on the chafer. Phoretic, as in not blood-sucking - just catching a ride.

 

Part 1 here: www.flickr.com/photos/tinyturtle/53878644296/

 

Part 2 here: www.flickr.com/photos/tinyturtle/54288803421/

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Uploaded on April 22, 2025
Taken on July 21, 2024