This beetle is ranges from about 4/5 to 1 inch long. It is reddish brown in color and has a wrinkled appearance to the elytra. It was identified with help from experts at Bugguide.
The adults are nocturnal, found in woodlands and orchards. Adults come to lights. This species is found in the western U.S. while the closely relate O. eremicola is found mainly in the Northeastern U.S. Its occurrence at Fontenelle Forest is not known. This photo was taken near the Fontenelle Nature Center. Larvae develop in rotting wood of dead or dying hardwoods.
The genus Osmoderma includes 3 species found east of the Rockies. They belong to the flower scarab subfamily Cetoniinae. When handled these beetles emit an odor which some describe as that of Russian leather. Also known as the hermit beetle.
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