What is this insect in Southern California?
This is a scarab beetle that belongs to the genus Cyclocephala, and has the nickname of "masked shafer" (gallery). There are over 300 different species within this genus, however, the species most common to southern California is C. hirta and C. pasadenae, with me leaning more towards the former.



C. hirta; San Diego County, CA (source)


C. hirta; San Leandro, CA. (source)


C. pasadenae; Vail, AZ (source)





  When it flies, it opens up its wings like a ladybug's.





Ladybug, left; masked chafer, right.