Showing posts with label Abax paralellopipedus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Abax paralellopipedus. Show all posts

Monday, May 30, 2016

Beetle with eyes like pearls


I found this ground beetle, which I'm pretty sure is Abax paralellopipedus, in woodland beside Shittlehope burn in Stanhope, Weardale this morning.



It's a common species but what's unusual about this one is its eyes. 


They should be black but these are milky white, like pearls. They don't seem to have the individual facets (ommatidia) that are typical of insect eyes.


I've no idea why this should be but I've had a helpful and rather gruesome suggestion from Dr. Ross Piper

CLICK HERE FOR THE LIKELY CAUSE