Anthaxia sp.
This metallic woodboring beetle is in the genus Anthaxia. There are over seven hundred species of Anthaxia found worldwide. The adult is small and dark brown to black. The adult is very common in summer and can be seen on flowers. In the photo, a male (top) is guarding a female (bottom) with which he has mated or will mate with soon.
Order: Coleoptera
Family: Buprestidae
Species: Anthaxia sp.
Photograph: © 2006 RKD Peterson
Date of Photograph: 16 June 2006
Location: Montana, Gallatin Co. (44o50'02" N 111o16'83" W)