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May 16, 2021
We're reaching into the archives for today's #BenInNature update presented by our friends at Carter Bank & Trust! The following post was originally published on June 24, 2020.
Awhile back, former VMNH Research Technician and current Clemson University grad student Curt Harden set up some subterranean beetle traps on my property. These are special traps of Curt's own devising designed to capture miniscule ground beetles. Curt is one of just a handful of folks in the world who studies these beetles!
When he checked the traps last November, he ended up finding a new species of ground beetle belonging to the genus Anillinus! Believe it or not, this beetle is only a little bit bigger than a pinhead, about two millimeters long. Curt plans to formally describe the species, but for now, it goes by the working name "Anillinus BEN," which I really like the sound of for some reason.
Curt has discovered several new species within the Anillinus genus, many of which are closely related. Because these beetles are so small and so seldom studied, there are likely a whole lot more new species to be found. These beetles live in the soil and are completely blind -- they don't even have eyes!
ABOUT #BenInNature
Social distancing can be difficult, but it presents a great opportunity to become reacquainted with nature. In this series of posts, Administrator of Science Ben Williams ventures outdoors to record a snapshot of the unique sights that can be found in the natural world. New updates are posted Monday - Friday, with previous posts highlighted on the weekends. This series of posts is made possible thanks to the support of VMNH Corporate Partner Carter Bank & Trust (www.cbtcares.com).
NATURE PHOTO IDENTIFICATIONS
If you discover something in nature that you would like help identifying, be sure to message us right here on Facebook with a picture (please include location and date of picture) and we'll have our experts help you identify it!
