We against a beetle that is striking for its colors and design.
Although the design remains constant in trichodes leucopsideus coloration may have varying shades from yellowish orange copy of the photo to a reddish orange.
is distinguished from other specimens of the genus such as T. trichodes Apiarius, T. alvearius ... by design, easily distinguished by the two dark spots in front of the elytra, ie hardened outer wings that protect the interior and which are those used to fly.
beetles are small and medium-size are between 1 and 1.5 centimeters in length.
The adults usually perch on inflorescences of the plants, hoping to get some little insect to feed and seizing this moment to hunt. The copy of the photograph is perched on a thistle corridor ( Eryngium campestre ) while waiting patiently to get a kill.
trichodes beetles are also known by the common name for bees beetle, because the females lay eggs in the nests of wild bees and other Hymenoptera and even beehives kept by man. After hatching, the larvae feed on the brood of bees.
Despite its striking coloration is often associated in nature to a warning sign for the presence of poison or toxicity, the fact is that it is a completely harmless animal that uses this strategy as a strong color deterrent from predators.
By contrast, the checkered beetle is very beneficial to man, especially in the field of agriculture, it helps in the pollination at the time that kills many insects that may be parasitic plants.
appreciate the help of Cecilia Montiel, http://www.biodiversidadvirtual.org/insectarium/ contributor in the identification of this insect.
More pictures and information:
- http://www.culturaapicola.com.ar/wiki/index.php/Trichodes_apiarius
- http://perdidoenelamazonas.blogspot.com/2009/02/ trichodes-octopunctatus.html
- http://herramientas.educa.madrid.org/animalandia/conocer/ficha.php?id=2607
