Net-winged Beetles
What are they?
A small group of brightly-colored beetles in the family Lycidae. Net-winged Beetles have raised, netted patterns on their wing cases and usually sport bright yellow and black colors. This pattenr suggests that they are poisonous to would-be predators, or perhaps affords some protection in giving them the look of wasps and bees. If alarmed, they often spread their wings in a kind of threat posture. Adults are often conspicous on foliage in woodland in late summer, while larvae feed mostly on fungi and are active in leaf litter.
Identification
Though this is a small group, the species are variable in their markings and can closely resemble each other.
Reticulated Net-winged Beetle Calopteron reticulatum
A common and sometimes conspicuous species which is most often found in wooded areas.
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