An Odd Beetle

This peculiar beetle showed up near the light sheet the other night.

 Byrsax sp: Tenebrionidae

 Byrsax sp: Tenebrionidae, integument up close

Geoff Monteith notes that this beetle is one of three species known from Australia. Males have the horns. The beetles live in large bracket fungi. He says they have one of the most powerful smells of any tenebrionid beetle. Strangely, I did not notice it. (Might be saying something about me!)

Geoff suggests additional reading: http://threatenedtaxa.org/index.php/JoTT/article/view/1492/2731