Ask A Scientist© Zoology Archive

name       Kathryn
status     other
age        30s

Question - Hello!
I'm trying to figure out what in God's name was in my condo last night &
can't seem to find anything! The closest I came was the click beetle.
This "thing" was about 1-1/4" long, black, antennae coming out the top of the
head & had thick "pinchers" by it's mouth that were seraded 3 times on
each pincher and was definately hard shell. I believe the body was in 3
parts with the middle part being smaller that the head but it was mostly
"rear end".


My cat wouldn't even mess with this thing!

I killed it - but what is it? Where did it come from? Should I be looking
for more?

I live in a large condominium complex in Willowbrook, IL and I am on the
top (2nd floor) if that means anything to you!


Possibly a stag beetle, quite harmless, though how it got into your second
floor apartment I don't know, they are usually on the ground. Without seeing
it I wouldn't want to say for sure.
J. Elliott
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There are too many species of beetles to keep track of, even if one is an
entomologist, but I will guess that from your description you have a "stag
beetle".

peter f
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