Checkered Beetle; Escarabajo Ajedrezado

Description:

Checkered beetle (Trichodes apiarius), is a small hairy beetle in the Cleridae family that features an elytra design of contrasting red and dark purple bright colours in wide stripes. Adults are found in large flowers and inflorescences, on broom flowers in the picture. Instead the larvae live in hives of honey bee (Apis mellifica) or in nests of solitary bees as a parasitizing larvae, from which it derives its adjective specific apiarius. Trichodes apiarius is not the only species of checkered beetle which combines red and dark violet stripes in the elytra; two more species, both frequent, share the same design: Trichodes alvearius that is recognized by the violet "V" shaped first strip and Trichodes leucopsideus that is identified by violet spots on the shoulders. The adults can be encountered from May through June on the flowers, mainly Apiaceae, feeding on the pollen. However, they integrate their diet with small insects that they actively hunt.

Habitat:

Spotted on broom flowers at a pine tree forest clearing 1500 m. high. Parque natural de Sierra de Gredos

Notes:

Camera Model: NIKON D300. Exposure Time: 1/250 sec.; f/11; ISO Speed Rating: 400. Exposure Bias: -4/3 EV. Focal Length: 90.0 mm. No flash fired