Proof and everything…
…of convergent evolution.
(photo A.Shock)
For those like me who need facts and a story, this is a Palo Verde Root Borer Beetle (Derobrachus geminatus, adult, fully 3″ long), posing for what I thought were post-mortem portraits this morning after I fished her out of the pool. However, she was clearly heard to state “I’m not dead yet!” when she threatened me with her pliers-like mandibles. She’s out there now, trundling around, still drying out I s’pose. I didn’t have the heart to do her in, although her grubby children do not play well with others, and insist on voraciously damaging the roots of trees. Get a load of the spiky thorax!