Thematic Photographic - Close up

"Thematic Photographic" - Carmi at the blog Written, Inc. presents a weekly themed photographic challenge. This week's theme is Closeup. Check in and see who else contributes photos based on this idea.

This fellow appeared one evening on my porch. He stayed quite still, in the same position, for over an hour. His name is Prionus californicus, or the borer beetle. They range from Alaska to Baja California, and east to the Rocky Mountains. The adults emerge in July, and fly at night in search of mates. They lay eggs on the surface of the earth, and their larvae bore into the roots of trees feeding on them for up to 3 or 4 years before maturing. They favor fruit trees - he probably enjoyed the roots of my plum or apricot tree.

Still, he's a handsome fellow. He's big - about 2 inches in length. His elytra, or hardened forewings are shiny as lacquer, and as rich a brown as a French roasted coffee bean. His shapely legs end in little clawed feet. His antennae gracefully curve like brackets, with jointed and ornamental-looking barbs upon them.

All right, Mr. DeMille. He's ready for his close-up.