Toro de Sol, Heliotauro de cuello rojo

Description:

Heliotaurus ruficollis belongs to the Coleoptera order, Tenebrionidae family and Alleculidae subfamily. It is a flower lover beetle, acting as a big pollinator. Black head, red pronotum and elytra with weak blue sparkle, with longitudinal point lines. As the major part of Alleculinae (subfamily to which this species belongs) it is a sun loving beetle that feeds on flowers pollen. However, larvae are edaphic, they live under dead woods where they feed on vegetable debris, moulds and decomposing organic matter.

Habitat:

It is a very common tenebrionid in Mediterranean region. Spotted on Thapsia villosa inflorescence, mediterranean forest.

Notes:

Camera Model: NIKON D300. Exposure Time: 1/60 sec. f/32 ISO Speed Rating: 200. Focal Length: 90.0 mm.