this beetle (of some sort - that's the first question), is covered by little beetles(?) or somethings - that's the second question. Is this procreation or parasites? Does anyone know what's going on here? The image was taken near Maple Falls, Washington in July(ish). This is the northwest corner of Washington state, in the Mt. Baker foothills: cedars, alders, big leaf maples. Closest big tree was a big leaf maple.
Looks like a carrion beetle in the genus Nicophorus carrying a load of mites that are hitching a ride to the beetle's next food source
http://plantsand-animals.blogspot.com/2009/06/mitey-burying-beetle.html
wow!
I agree. Wow, indeed.
(Hi, Sally!)
Hi kwanjin- I knew you'd like this!
If you don't click on the second photo and enlarge it, it looks like a stone covered with a swatch of pink beaded fabric. Add another 'Wow".
I do! LOL
Large black spider with yellow stripes.I ran across this fellow when I was cutting down a maple tree.There was a funnel web nearby,but I've never seen a funnel weaver with a body the size of a penny.I would like to know if anyone knows what this could be?
Unless you saw the spider on the web, they may be unrelated. Spider could be an Argiope sp.
