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mutillidae.bsky.social
Rainbow triceratops*

*scarab. Phanaeus difformis collected in Texas, in 2002.

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Quarter-profile (-ish) view of a rainbow scarab (Phanaeus difformis) against a black background. The elytra are metallic purplish, the pronotum is metallic greeenish, and the head and horn are black with subtle purplish tints. The back corners of the pronotum are produced into small dorsals extensions, giving it a decidedly three horned appearance. The lamellate antennal clubs are orangish-brown. It is a lovely beetle (as far as beetles go).
March 29, 2026 at 5:30 PM
mutillidae.bsky.social
I finished my mini curation project on the tribe Phanaeini in our collection. We have specimens representing five genera and ~40 species.

This is a male of Phanaeus demon, from Nicaragua.

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Left latero-frontal view of a metallic yellowish-green scarab on a white background. This species, Phanaeus demon, has a large backward curving horn coming off the top of its head. It also has a pair of large, inwardly curving, apically truncate processes extending dorsally from the back of its pronotum. It's pretty badass.
April 1, 2026 at 5:29 PM
mutillidae.bsky.social
FYI, here's the specimen & my staging equipment (not incl. the tray with foam).

• can use a white, grey, or black background as needed
• 3D printed diffuser
• stage snaps on yellow base w/magnets
• base has 1/4 20 bushing

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#3DPrinting
Two pictures: the left shows a tray with foam holding a rainbow scarab (Phanaeus difformis), a square image stage with black background, a dome diffuser, a rectangular yellow base piece, and optional white or grey backgrounds for the stage. All the pieces snap together with small neodymium magnets. The image on the right shows the same stuff except the foam tray and specimen. The stage, base piece, and diffuser are all rotated to show the magnets on their undersides. The yellow base piece has a brass bushing so it can be easily attached to a standard 1/4" bolt on a tripod or a copy stand for imaging. Both images have a textured white background.
March 30, 2026 at 3:00 PM