Trichodes ornatus

Trichodes ornatus
Trichodes ornatus on October 16, 2012 in Wyoming
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Family: Cleridae
Genus: Trichodes
Species: T. ornatus
Binomial name
Trichodes ornatus
(Linsley & MacSwain, 1943)

Trichodes ornatus, commonly known as Ornate Checkered Beetle, is a beetle species of checkered beetles belonging to the family Cleridae, subfamily Clerinae which can be found only in North America.[1]

Ecology

Larvae live in bee nests of mostly Megachilidae family species[2] and are parasitic. While in the nest they feed on the bees' larvae or pollen. When they mature into an adult they begin feeding on yarrow, milkweed, and other plants of yellow colouration. The species males are 5–11 millimetres (0.20–0.43 in) long while females are 7–15 millimetres (0.28–0.59 in).[1]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 "Trichodes ornatus Ornate Checkered Beetle". American Insects. Retrieved January 23, 2015.
  2. Eric R. Eaton; Kenn Kaufman (2007). Kaufman Field Guide to Insects of North America. ISBN 978-0-618-15310-7.

External links