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The genus Pachyrrhynchus of family Curculionidae is striking for it’s spectacular colors and patterns that makes it popular with collectors and entomologists alike. However, there is another aspect that this group is famous for: model for a host of mimic species belonging either to the same tribe, the same family or even different coleoptera families of which the genus Doliops (Cerambycidae) and genus Metapocyrtus (Curculionidae) is very much known. I will talk about this one in a future post.

The photos shown above were collected at a particular forest in the Zamboanga Peninsula. At first, I didn’t notice this one but when I checked the specimens back home, I was just surprised that these three, all occurring in the same patch of wood, were in fact related in patterns to one another. In most cases, the model here is the Pachyrrhynchus sp. (left), probably undescribed. Following it is a Polycatus sp. (center) that almost approximates the elytral and pronotal markings of the former. And finally, a much smaller Calidiopsis sp. (right), that has lost it’s pinkish color due to rigor mortis. This last one is almost similar to the female of Polycatus sp.

This is just two mimic species. Just imagine if the usual species of Metapocyrtus and Doliops can be found and you have spectacular grouping of model and mimics involving five different species!

Just the other day, I was quite surprised to find, just a day apart, two cerambycid and one rutelid beetles on the curtain just within the confines of my screened room. How these got inside is a puzzle for me but anyway, these are still interesting specimens as I don’t have much beetles from Cebu, especially longhorns and I don’t think that the coleoptera fauna of the island province is well studied.

During the Spanish colonial period, especially in the 19the century, much of Cebu’s forests were already cut down to open the lands to the sugar industry. Much earlier, though unconfirmed, it is said to have been the source in building some of the galleons that plied the Manila - Acapulco route from the late 16th to early 19th centuries. 

This greenish brown Popillia sp. was just hanging and stood motionless for much of the day. It is about a centimeter long.

Probably an Apomecynini sp. about 1.5 centimeters long.

This is a composite photo of the same beetle showing side and elytra. I’m not sure but it might be a Pterolophia sp. or some other Apomecynini species.

Three new cerambycid photos were uploaded to their respective species pages. All are males:

• Ziglipton lumawigi HUDEPOHL 1987
• Olenecamptus bilobus FABRICIUS 1801
• Euryphagus pictus VOET 1778

I’m just starting this online store for beetle merchandise for those who will be interested and will be adding more in the next few days. What’s more, you can customize the product. Want a different shirt color or type, just click and you’re all set. Best of all, the store handles all payments and delivery.

I’m also open to suggestions. If you have a design or product that you want, drop me a line.

Check it out at my ZAZZLE store.

This six new photos of Carabid species that have been stored in my hardrive have been uploaded in my Carabidae gallery. Like the rest in my collection, these are still unidentified.