Oops! Both pictures are the same.

Here is the picture of it beside the pliers.

{{gwi:709128}}

Here is a closeup.

{{gwi:1003528}}

Since posting here, I also posted on the Far North Forum and someone there identified it for me as a furry scarab.

Brenda

Hmmm. A "new" critter for me, one I haven't seen previously.

Here's a page with photos.
http://bugguide.net/node/view/3295/bgimage

As it turns out, when I went to the above page, I clicked on the thumbnail of maps. Distribution of the various Trichiotinus species appears to be mostly east of the Rockies. The range for T. assimilis comes closest to CA, but isn't within the state.

It might be interesting to phone the entomologist at your county's Agricultural Commission to ask a few questions about it.

Here is a link that might be useful: Hairy flower scarabs -- Trichiotinus spp.

It is a new one for me also. I phoned and then emailed the horticultural line at the Brandon University (a 10 minute drive from where I live) in Brandon, Manitoba, Canada. They have not gotten back to me yet. I will call over there tomorrow and see if they have seen this scarab here in the Brandon area before.

Thanks for more sites to peruse in my 'spare' time.

Brenda

hehehe. How I decided you lived in California is beyond me! If my brain was in gear, I wouldn't have suggested contacting your county's Agricultural Commission. (sigh)

Anyway. It still is an interesting critter.