Broad-necked Root Borer

After an early evening rain I stepped out to see what I might find around my backyard and gardens.  These little walks are pleasant on their own, but it’s always interesting to see what I find.  Sometimes it’s nothing at all, or just the usual characters in their usual spots.  Other times, however, I receive a welcome surprise and find something entirely new!

This was one of those cases, when I found a very large beetle – a Broad-necked Root Borer – clinging to my clove stems.  Despite being one of the most common lifeforms on the Earth, I find surprisingly few beetles, although I suspect that has more to do with looking in the wrong places and at the wrong times.  Immediately post-rain was apparently the right time, and this individual was very patient while I photographed it.