<h4>MINI CONTEST</h4> for the best conclusion to the title joke, compete in the comments below.  I will use my powerful #creativecoin updoot wand on joke entries that begin with "A mantis, a moth and a beetle walked into a bar..." :)

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## Ten-lined June Beetle [(*Polyphylla decemlineata*)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ten-lined_June_beetle)

<center>![image.png](https://files.steempeak.com/file/steempeak/carlgnash/aQ7V3Lgt-image.png)</center>

This was a new one on me.  This giant scarab beetle was attracted to my porch light and landed on the screen door under the light.  He (this is a male, the large antennae are a dead giveaway used to locate females) startled me by making a loud hiss when I captured him in a jar!  At first I thought maybe he had sprayed a chemical weapon, but it turns out June beetles hiss by forcing air out between their wings and back.  It was a surprisingly loud and scary hiss and I have never been hissed at by an insect before!  

<center>![image.png](https://files.steempeak.com/file/steempeak/carlgnash/6nvkxahz-image.png)</center>

I was surprised to see this beetle had a furry chest, although I suppose knowing that he was an eligible bachelor on the prowl, I shouldn't have been surprised.  I can report that he did *not* have a gold necklace or medallion.  

Apologies for the lower res on these pics, I used my wife's phone (Google Pixel 3) because it handles low light better but I failed to note she had her photo resolution set at 1280 x 720 px.  It is a real shame because I made a little viewing hole to take pictures and these would have been great if they were at higher res.

My picture taking setup here:
![image.png](https://files.steempeak.com/file/steempeak/carlgnash/uEUHzu5q-image.png)

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## Bordered Mantis [(*Stagmomantis limbata*)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stagmomantis_limbata)

Also known as the Arizona mantis but screw that, this is a Utah mantis if anything.  Everyone knows praying mantis are the coolest kung fu masters of the insect world.  Teach me sensei.

[![image.png](https://files.steempeak.com/file/steempeak/carlgnash/RQ9oKXLQ-image.png)](https://files.steempeak.com/file/steempeak/carlgnash/RQ9oKXLQ-image.png)

[![image.png](https://files.steempeak.com/file/steempeak/carlgnash/Re9WNISv-image.png)](https://files.steempeak.com/file/steempeak/carlgnash/Re9WNISv-image.png)

## White-Lined Sphinx Moth [(*Hyles lineata*)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyles_lineata)

![image.png](https://files.steempeak.com/file/steempeak/carlgnash/2VDhvh5V-image.png)

This was pretty cool.  @thingone spotted this waterlogged moth in Hobble Creek and wanted to rescue it.  I was pretty sure it was dead but he used a rock to fish it out.  Much to my surprise, shortly after taking this picture when the moth had dried out a little it flew off!  

If you have never encountered a sphinx moth, of which there are several varieties, they actually fly like a hummingbird (hence another common name, "hummingbird moth").  They can hover midair while pollinating and zoom around just like a hummingbird.