CLOSED: Even the exterminator is stumped!

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goshsmom Cincinnati, OH(Zone 6a) Jul 10, 2015

This is an unknown flying thing that has been swarming in my front yard--- not my neighbors. They are not aggressive. They appear to be concentrating on an area where there used to be a large locust tree. The frozen specimen I tried to photograph has a body that is one inch long. What doesn't show up is the large wings, which are easily an inch to inch and a half. The wings are a light brown. The bugs are very colorful: I have never seen such a beautiful backside: it's like a fire opal. The back, behind the head, has a beautiful dark green split triangle marking.
The bug guy estimated that there were at least 50 of these swarming around. They zoom around erratically, staying mostly low to the ground. Any ideas?
Sorry, the butt picture is first.

This message was edited Jul 10, 2015 11:24 PM

Thumbnail by goshsmom Thumbnail by goshsmom Thumbnail by goshsmom Thumbnail by goshsmom
Post #10109511
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Flapdoodle Minot, ND Jul 11, 2015

This is a scarab beetle in the genus Cotinis, commonly called green June beetles or fig eaters, they were looking for a suitable place to lay their eggs. See http://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/green_june_beetle and http://davesgarden.com/guides/bf/go/804/

Post #10109544
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goshsmom Cincinnati, OH(Zone 6a) Jul 11, 2015

That's it for sure. Too bad I had forgotten the scarab jewelery of my younger years. Both links are helpful. Not sure what I'll do when these combine with the local junebugs and the cicadas all hit at once, but thanks for the ID.
Pat

Post #10109692
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