Net-winged Beetles

Lycidae

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Suborder: Polyphaga
Superfamily: Elateroidea
Family: Lycidae

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Lycidae: /ˈlaɪsɪdiː/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Little Red Netwing - Flickr - treegrow by Katja Schulz from Washington, D. C., USA. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Calopteron discrepans by Jacy Lucier. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Red Lycid (31934490500) by Katja Schulz from Washington, D. C., USA. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Little Red Netwing - Flickr - treegrow (4) by Katja Schulz from Washington, D. C., USA. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Calopteron reticulatum P1030508a by
xpda. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Net-winged Beetle - Flickr - treegrow (7) by Katja Schulz from Washington, D. C., USA. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Summary

The Lycidae, or net-winged beetles, are a family of elongated beetles typically found on flowers or stems, known for their vibrantly colored bodies and toxicity that protects them from predators. They are cosmopolitan in distribution and exhibit a complex life cycle with larval stages found in decaying organic matter.

Physical Characteristics

Elongated body shape, typically brick-red in color; adult males about 10–15 mm in length, while females are slightly larger; triangular head with long, thick, serrated antennae.

Identification Tips

Adults are commonly found on flowers or stems and are recognized by their elongated bodies and distinctive coloration.

Habitat

Typically found in woodlands; larvae live in decaying tree trunks and branches, while adults are often located on flowers.

Distribution

World-wide distribution; more diverse in warmer climates, found in Nearctic, Palearctic, Neotropical, Afrotropical, Oriental, and Australian ecoregions.

Diet

Adults feed on nectar and honeydew. Larvae primarily feed on myxomycetes or metabolic products of fungi.

Life Cycle

Adults may have short lives during which they often do not feed; the larvae grow under bark or in leaf litter.

Predators

Many species are unpalatable to predators due to their toxicity, which is advertized by their bright colors.

Ecosystem Role

Aposematic coloration serves as a warning to potential predators about their toxicity.

Evolution

Related to families within Coleoptera, exhibiting a unique ecological niche and adaptations for toxicity.

Misconceptions

Some misconceptions may arise regarding their diet, as anecdotal reports suggest carnivory, but they primarily feed on fungi-related material.