Hello! I came across this giant recently (in Malaysia) and can't find any answers. Was thinking some kind of scarab beetle but doesn't really look anything like these. If anyone has any idea what type of insect this might be it would be appreciated. Wingspan about 8cm, very hairy underneath, lots of armor, sounds like a buzz bomb when it flies! Didn't seem too aggressive when I was taking photos. Many thanks.
Despite the shiny body, it is not a beetle. I think it's a bee that's trying to look like a fly. Or a fly.
This message was edited Dec 4, 2012 2:13 AM
Two pairs of wings eliminates it being a true fly. Likely a species of bee.
Carpenter bee in genus Xylocopa - maybe Xylocopa latipes
http://www.fobi.web.id/v/insect/f-api/xyl-lat/Xylocopa-latipes_Candi-Gebang_IT.jpg.html
I wasn't sure if I remembered my bee/fly wings. I knew I didn't see halteres. And wasn't sure if that was two pairs of wings. I thought bees had their wings folded straight back. Can either of you comment on bee wing positions, is there a rule?
Although most bees do keep there wings folded over their abdomen when at rest, there are exceptions, and this is one of them.
Thank you for clarifying.
