Toxic-beetles
Guides
Calopteron
net-winged beetles
Calopteron is a genus of net-winged beetles in the family Lycidae, comprising approximately 13 described species. These beetles are characterized by their toxic chemical defenses and aposematic (warning) coloration, typically black and orange or red patterns. They serve as important models in mimicry complexes, including Müllerian associations with toxic moths such as Pyromorpha dimidiata and Lycomorpha pholus. The genus is widely distributed, with species occurring in eastern North America and extending into South America.