Snail Eater beetle (Scaphinotus, Carabidae, Coleoptera) on an oak leaf
I believe this is a Snail Eater beetle in the genus Scaphinotus, family Carabidae, order Coleoptera posed on an oak leaf. They have a wide abdomen, a narrow thorax, and long jaws to penetrate snail shells. They are not common. Unfortunately, this one is dead - at least it didn't move while I got the photo or for many minutes afterwards. It must be recently deceased, because its legs are still flexible and it still has mites. I wouldn't be surprised if it walked away after I left! (San Marcos Pass, 31 January 2015)
At first glance, it looks like a Darkling Beetle (family Tenebrionidae), but all the details are wrong.
Snail Eater beetle (Scaphinotus, Carabidae, Coleoptera) on an oak leaf
I believe this is a Snail Eater beetle in the genus Scaphinotus, family Carabidae, order Coleoptera posed on an oak leaf. They have a wide abdomen, a narrow thorax, and long jaws to penetrate snail shells. They are not common. Unfortunately, this one is dead - at least it didn't move while I got the photo or for many minutes afterwards. It must be recently deceased, because its legs are still flexible and it still has mites. I wouldn't be surprised if it walked away after I left! (San Marcos Pass, 31 January 2015)
At first glance, it looks like a Darkling Beetle (family Tenebrionidae), but all the details are wrong.