Lycid winged beetle (Net-winged beetle)

Natural Habitat

Found in forests, woodlands, and gardens, often on flowers or foliage near decaying wood.

Diet & Feeding

Adults often feed on nectar or moisture; larvae are typically predatory or feed on juices from decaying wood and fungi.

Behavior Patterns

Diurnal (active during the day). They are known for their slow movement and chemical defense systems; their bright colors serve as a warning (aposematism) to predators that they are toxic or distateful.

Risks & Benefits

They pose no physical risk to humans but contain alkaloids that are toxic if ingested by pets or wildlife. Beneficially, they contribute to the ecosystem as pollinators and as part of the decomposition process in their larval stage.

Identified on: 4/2/2026