Announcing the monsoons...

Each year these gorgeous beetles come out in droves around Tucson just before the monsoons. They are fantastic and huge. This one came by and was kind enough to...
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Each year these gorgeous beetles come out in droves around Tucson just before the monsoons. They are fantastic and huge. This one came by and was kind enough to let me take his photo. There's a better shot of his body attached below if you'd like to see it.

Could be him?

waynesword.palomar.edu/ww0502.htm

"The pine sawyer is one of the largest beetles in urbanized areas of southern California. It belongs to the long-horned beetle family (Cerambycidae) The large, pale larva, up to 2 1/2 inches (6.3 cm) long, feeds on the wood of fallen logs and old conifer stumps. The adult beetle in above photo is over 3 inches long (including the extended antennae). It has a pair of powerful jaws (mandibles) that are capable of inflicting a painful pinch. At least they can leave an imprint on a piece of cardboard! The adults emerge from subterranean stumps in early summer. They are nocturnal and are attracted to lights."
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