Beetle with two tiny hitchhikers
The two little blobs on this 4-5mm long beetle are mites, and many beetles seem to carry a few of these little guys. Some species of mites are parasitic, but I've read that some simply use beetles as a means of transport.
Freshly molted earwing, Virginia
Earwigs are in the order Dermaptera. This one has just molted and will change to a brown color within a few hours.
Flat bark beetle from early spring
This is a shy and stunningly colored beetle. I'm pretty sure it is properly known as Cucujus clavipes, and is easily identifiable by its flat profile and Ferrari red color. In hundreds of hikes in Virginia, I've found just a few -- although once I found three on one log. They seem to be active early in the year.
Flat headed poplar borer, Virginia
Flat-headed poplar borer, probably Dicerca tenebrica. I love the molten metal look! This borer is in the 1cm range. I suspect they emerge to reproduce and are not around very long as adults.
Pleasing fungus beetle eating, Virginia
These beetles really do eat fungus and I often see two or three of them on a single fungus or a rotting log. There are 160 genera and 1,800 known species in this family (Erotylidae). This one was in Virginia, but I also find them in tropical locations where they tend to be about the same size and shape, and are typically black with yellowish, orange, or reddish markings.
Caterpillar of Moth in Limacodidae family, Virginia
Slug caterpillar, stinging caterpillar, and cup moth caterpillar are three names used for this caterpillar in the genus Euclea -- she is probably Euclea delphinii.