Today I was reminded of my favorite illustration of a carabid beetle. Here it is. Drawn by my daughter, Julia, 21 years ago, when she was 4. Given the prominence of the area around the discal setae of the elytra, I suspect it has “silver spots” (granulate patches of microsculpture), and is thus a member of Bembidion subgenus Bracteon. And, because of the lack of “mirrors” (dark, smooth patches on the elytra), and the wide prothorax, it is likely Bembidion (Bracteon) balli, named by Carl Lindroth after my mentor George Ball. Happy Birthday, George!
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David Maddison
Whoa, so even when I was four I knew about the six legs, three main body parts, and antennae in front of the eyes? I really drew that?
Yup. You drew that 2 weeks before your 4th birthday! And – amazingly – you had the legs attached to the correct bits!
I feel like I knew more then than I did like ten years later
This is so amazing – thanks for posting this, David!
You are most welcome, Dru! There will be another one sometime in the future!
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