GOLDEN NET-WINGED BEETLE
Dictyoptera aurora
NET-WINGED BEETLES (Lycidae)
This beetle is a bright red color and the wings are soft and covered in a net like or reticulate texture. This beetle was about ½ inch long.
The adults feed on nectar and pollen from flowering plants. Larvae feed on fungi. Its overall occurrence at Fontenelle Forest is not known. This one was photographed on Walking Club Trail.
These beetles are closely related to fireflies but don t glow like the fireflies. The red coloration indicates their bitter taste to predators. They are also related to Soldier Beetles.
Disclaimer: The content of NatureSearch is provided by dedicated volunteer Naturalists of Fontenelle Forest who strive to provide the most accurate information available. Contributors of the images retain their copyrights. The point of contact for this page is: Eric Scholar.