Does anyone know what this is?

[MantidBro]

its wicked cool. its exoskeleton is a metallic purple. but its abdomen is black with white stripes. it has a head like an ant and wings like a wasp. but about the wings - they are retractable! it has 2 "buds" on its thorax that the wings emerge from when he wants them. he then uses his abdomen to push them back it. hes also wicked fast. i found him under a log.

sorry i can only do links, i can never do photos on here anymore, it stinks.

wings in: http://mantidforum.net/forums/uploads/gallery/album_446/med_gallery_6731_446_667636.jpg

http://mantidforum.net/forums/uploads/gallery/album_446/med_gallery_6731_446_384431.jpg

wings out: http://mantidforum.net/forums/uploads/gallery/album_446/med_gallery_6731_446_66522.jpg

http://mantidforum.net/forums/uploads/gallery/album_446/med_gallery_6731_446_13379.jpg

 

[Shadow]

Augochlora pura

 

[MantidBro]

Augochlora pura

no its not that, that looks more like a bee, these look more like earwigs, and the wings are retractable

 

[TheBeesKnees]

I think you have a species of Rove Beetle there, Boss! (Staphylinidae). Though which, I am not sure!
Have a looksee!:

This one is called Platydracus violaceus and is found in eastern north america. Does it look close to what you have?

Wings (different species, but same family, same idea)

Another metallic species (from brazil, I think)

 

[MantidBro]

I think you have a species of Rove Beetle there, Boss! (Staphylinidae). Though which, I am not sure!

Have a looksee!:

This one is called Platydracus violaceus and is found in eastern north america. Does it look close to what you have?

Wings (different species, but same idea)

Another metallic species (from brazil, I think)

Platydracus violaceus, thats EXACTLY what it is! thank you! howd you know!

 

[TheBeesKnees]

I just remember reading about this family of insect in a north american bug encyclopedia way back in the third grade! So I looked up "purple rove beetle" and your little bug showed up in the search, scientific name and everything!

I'm glad we could solve this mystery!

 

[MantidBro]

I just remember reading about this family of insect in a north american bug encyclopedia way back in the third grade! So I looked up "purple rove beetle" and your little bug showed up in the search, scientific name and everything!

I'm glad we could solve this mystery!

damn youve got a good memory! haha! awesome, thanks, i couldnt figure out what it was for the life of me.

hey youre the one that solved it! ;-)