[Keith Alan]

These beetles arrive in large numbers every spring.
Way down south like I am, they show up earlier than June but that's their common name.




They often fall off of walls and if they land on smooth concrete on their backs, it's nearly impossible for them to flip themselves over--resulting in many crunching sounds if you don't watch your step.




As a child visiting my farm cousins I learned to make "kites" with them.
A length of thread was tied to a leg, and then they would fly around your head for awhile.
Approx 15mm long, and their wings make a buzzing sound when flying.

These macros were taken at night using a flash held in my off-hand near the end of the lens with a white reflector on the other side.

[shuttertalk]

Interesting! They look almost like ticks, but if they're 15mm long as you say, then they must be pretty big.

Are they a pest, or do they just make a minor annoyance?

[Irma]

Excellent macros Keith. The texture is great!! Do they bite people? #1 looks like ready to fight.

I don't think I have seen them here, but most certainly we do in Chiapas. But as I didn't have a camera then, I never paid attention....

[Toad]

Interesting background story as well as snaps, KAK.

[Keith Alan]

They are a minor nuisance when they get into the house or fly into your head, nothing more.
Slow and stupid and plentiful, they're like the pigeons of the beetle family.