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Cleridae

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Description

Nice looking Checkered Beetle found resting on leaf. Taken at night in Singapore forest.

Quote from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cleridae
Cleridae are a family of beetles of the superfamily Cleroidea. They are commonly known as checkered beetles. The Cleridae family has a worldwide distribution, and a variety of habitats and feeding preferences.

Cleridae have a large number of niches and feeding habits. Most genera are predaceous and feed on other beetles and larvae; however other genera are scavengers or pollen feeders. Clerids have elongated bodies with bristly hairs, are usually bright colored, and have variable antennae. Checkered beetles range in length between 3 millimeters and 24 millimeters. Cleridae can be identified based on their 5–5–5 tarsal formula, division of sternites, and the absence of a special type of vesicle. Female Cleridae lay between 28–42 eggs at a time predominately under the bark of trees. Larvae are predaceous and feed vigorously before pupation and subsequently emergence as adults.

Clerids have a minor significance in forensic entomology. Some species are occasionally found on carrion in the later dry stages of decay. Also, some species are pests (stored product entomology) and are found infesting various food products. Research efforts related to Cleridae have focused primarily on using certain species as biological controls. This is a very effective technique for controlling bark beetles due to the voracious appetite of many Clerid species.

The Cleridae family contains many species of predaceous beetles that feed on other beetles and beetle larvae in their natural habitat.[3] The most common prey item for checkered beetles are the bark beetles and wood boring beetles.[5]

In general, the bulk of adult Cleridae feed mainly on other adult beetles while the larvae stage feed on other beetle larvae. Some checkered beetles are known to have an extremely voracious appetite with some larvae able to consume "several times their own body weight” in a day.[6]

Although most species of checkered beetles are predaceous in nature, some are scavengers and others have been found feeding on flower pollen.[7] Because of the checkered beetles predaceous nature and insatiable appetite, they are often key players in the biological control of other insects. The checkered beetles have also developed a unique adaptation to aid in their quest for prey. The beetles use pheromones to help them locate, kill, and consume their prey.[8]
Necrobia rufipes (Korynetinae)

The diversity of checkered beetle's feeding habits is quite evident when different species are examined. The Necrobia spp. are attracted to dry carrion and other decomposing animal matter such as bones and skin as well as various meat products.[9] Thanasimus spp. are found in woodland areas where bark beetle species constitute their main source of prey.[9] The primary source of prey for the Phyllobaenus spp. are wood borers, immature weevils, and hymenoptera larvae.[9] One of the more diverse genera is Trichodes, the larvae feed on the pollen of flowering plants and adults prey upon grasshoppers and wasps.[9]
Image size
1200x800px 629.03 KB
Make
Canon
Model
Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Shutter Speed
1/160 second
Aperture
F/16.0
Focal Length
100 mm
ISO Speed
160
Date Taken
Jan 17, 2015, 2:30:39 AM
Sensor Size
7mm
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Comments1
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herofan135's avatar
Love the colours here, great shot!