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Trichodes octopunctatus
Hairy small beetle with shining black head and scutellum. The elongated elytra is red colour with eight black spots. At the larval stage theese beetles are parasites of bees (hence the name “apiarius”), as the adults lay the eggs in the nests of solitary bees (Osmia and Megachile species) or in hives of honey bees, eating larvae and nymphs of their victims. The adults can be encountered from May through June on the flowers, mainly Apiaceae, feeding on the pollen.
Jaras at mediterranean forest, Parque Nacional de Monfragüe
In spite of the colors it is not a toxic nor dangerous species
Spotted on Apr 2, 2012
Submitted on May 20, 2012
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Added to "Global Pollinator Bug Watch" mission