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Ornate Checkered Beetle

Trichodes ornatus

The Ornate Checkered Beetle is a colorful little bug with a checkered pattern on its back. It loves to crawl around in gardens and fields, helping to keep plants healthy by eating pests.

Habitat: Grasslands

Appearance

The Ornate Checkered Beetle is a striking insect with a black head and thorax. Its hardened wing covers are a vibrant yellow-orange, marked with bold black bands and spots that create a distinctive checkered appearance.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderColeopteraFamilyCleridaeGenusTrichodes
Ornate Checkered Beetle
colorful trait badgegrassland trait badgeinsectivorous trait badgepollinator_magnet trait badge
Ornate Checkered Beetle

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Adult beetles visit flowers, but their babies are fierce hunters.

Many bugs try to copy their bright 'stay away' colors!

Their larvae can live for over a year before becoming adult beetles!

They are found only in the western parts of North America.

Special abilities

Ability

Warning Colors

Ornate Checkered Beetles have bright yellow-orange and black patterns that help warn predators that they might taste bad or be toxic.

Ability

Quick Flight

Ornate Checkered Beetles can fly with surprising speed because their strong wings allow them to quickly move between flowers or escape danger.

Measurements & details

Wingspan
15-25 mm
Size
8-15 mm
Lifespan
21-28 days
Flight Speed
10 km/h
Leg Count
6

Diet & Feeding

Adults drink nectar, but larvae are tiny hunters that eat other insect babies!

Age differences: Adults feed on pollen and nectar, while the larvae are predatory, hunting other insect larvae in their nests.

Primary Foods

  • Pollen
  • Nectar
  • Bark beetle larvae
  • Solitary bee larvae
  • Other insect pupae

Ecological connections

hunts

Mountain Pine Beetle

Dendroctonus ponderosae

Larvae prey on their larvae

hunts

Alfalfa Leafcutter Bee

Megachile rotundata

Larvae prey on their larvae

eaten by

Western Bluebird

Sialia mexicana

Adults can be prey for birds

depends on

Common Yarrow

Achillea millefolium

Adults feed on pollen and nectar

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

These beetles are harmless, but it's best to watch them from a distance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Ornate Checkered Beetle's wingspan?

15-25 mm

How big is Ornate Checkered Beetle?

8-15 mm

How long does Ornate Checkered Beetle live?

21-28 days

How fast can Ornate Checkered Beetle fly?

10 km/h

What does Ornate Checkered Beetle eat?

Adults drink nectar, but larvae are tiny hunters that eat other insect babies!

Where is Ornate Checkered Beetle usually found?

Grasslands

How many legs does Ornate Checkered Beetle have?

6

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Where to spot

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