Red beetles are some of the most eye-catching insects in the natural world. Their brilliant crimson bodies light up any environment they inhabit. With over 350,000 identified beetle species, the red varieties stand out both for their beauty and diversity. In this article, we’ll explore 18 of the most spectacular red beetles identified to date.
What Makes Red Beetles Red?
Beetles come in a riot of colors, from somber blacks and browns to metallic greens, blues, and more. So what gives red beetles their vivid scarlet hues? The source of their rich coloration lies in their wing covers. All beetles have a pair of tough forewings called elytra that protect their delicate hind wings In red beetles, the elytra contains high levels of carotenoids – the same pigments that give carrots and tomatoes their orange-red colors When light reflects off the transparent scales covering the elytra, it reveals the vibrant pigments underneath.
While all red beetles get their primary color from carotenoids, the exact shade can range from bright crimson to deeper wines and browns. Some species also have additional black, yellow, or metallic blue markings that contrast beautifully with the red background.
Diversity of Red Beetles
The most famous red beetles are ladybugs, with their domed scarlet wing covers dotted with black spots. But red ladybugs are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to scarlet-hued beetles Let’s look at some of the most striking species
Vivid Crimson Beetles
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Scarlet lily beetles have shiny, dimpled red elytra and feed solely on true lilies and fritillaries. They are major pests for gardeners growing these flowers.
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Cardinal beetles are true jewel-toned insects with bright red bodies except for their black legs and comb-like antennae. They prey on other insects rather than plants.
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Red soldier beetles are slender orangey-red bugs with black wingtips. These generalist feeders eat pollen, nectar and soft-bodied insects like aphids.
Red-and-Black Beetles
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Red milkweed beetles have elongated scarlet bodies marked with bold black spots, resembling large ladybugs. As their name indicates, they feed on milkweed plants.
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Cocklebur weevils are slender red bugs with black spots and an elongated snout. They devour ragweed, sunflowers and their namesake cockleburs.
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Ninebark calligraphy beetles are oval red beetles adorned with intricate curving black markings. They dine solely on ninebark shrubs.
Brownish-Red Beetles
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Red flat bark beetles hunt for prey under tree bark. Their bodies are well-adapted to squeezing into narrow gaps.
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Granulate ambrosia beetles are tiny pests whose larvae bore into and feed on fruit tree stems and buds.
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Rose curculios have dark red wing covers and black snouts for chewing into rosebuds and flowers. They are major rose pests.
As these examples show, the red beetle family encompasses a wide variety of shapes, sizes and diets. This diversity reflects their equally diverse roles in nature, from pollination to pest control.
Habitats for Red Beetles
Gardens and farms are prime spots to observe scarlet beetles, especially around susceptible crops and ornamental flowers. But red beetles make their homes in many other environments as well.
Woodlands harbor red flat bark and cardinal beetles, who feed on woodland insects. Flowers and grasslands attract soldier beetles, cardinal beetles and some ladybugs seeking pollen and other small bugs. Agricultural areas are plagued by rose curculios, scarlet lily beetles and other pest beetles.
Sandy scrublands and deserts host blister beetles like the blood-winged blister beetle, colored black and red like a warning sign. Aquatic red beetles even exist, like the red-winged tritoma that frequents pond vegetation. Clearly no landscape lacks its share of scarlet beetle residents.
Impacts of Red Beetles
While some red beetle species are harmless or helpful predators on pest insects, others have significant negative impacts:
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Scarlet lily beetles can completely defoliate lily plants, leaving them nearly leafless.
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Rose curculios chew up rose buds and flowers, ruining the blooms. Heavy infestations can significantly reduce flowering.
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Granulate ambrosia beetles bore into young trees, damaging and weakening them. This makes trees vulnerable to disease.
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Asiatic garden beetles skeletonize rose leaves at night, ruining their appearance.
Fortunately, control methods like botanical insecticides and biological controls using predatory insects can reduce pest beetle populations. And pest beetles are outnumbered by beneficial species like ladybugs and soldier beetles that protect our crops.
The Appeal of Red Beetles
What accounts for our fascination with red beetles? Their jewel-like wings and glowing colors certainly grab our eye. But beyond aesthetics, I believe we respond to red beetles because they represent nature’s strength and resilience.
Though small, red beetles thrive nearly everywhere on Earth thanks to their hardy exoskeletons and protective chemical defenses. Their bright warning colors announce their inedibility. They embody survival, adaption and the will to thrive against all odds – qualities we humans aspire to ourselves.
Whatever draws us to them, red beetles reward us by brightening our landscapes and igniting our imaginations. Keep your eyes peeled this summer and you’re sure to cross the path of one of these crimson wonders.
Which Lilies Do Lily Leaf Beetles Eat
The lily leaf beetle lays eggs and completes its life cycle exclusively on true lilies and fritillaria (daylilies are not affected). Oriental, rubrum, tiger and trumpet lilies as well as Oriental trumpets (orienpets) and Turks cap lilies and native North American lily species are all vulnerable, but the beetle prefers some types more than others. Research at the University of Maine shows that Asiatic lilies are the most vulnerable, while some Oriental lilies are more resistant. The most resistant lily cultivars in their tests were Lilium henryi Madame Butterfly, Lilium speciosum Uchida, and Lilium Black Beauty. The beetles may also be having an impact on populations of native Canada lily (Lilium canadense), as well as other rare and endangered lily species found in northeastern North America.
The adults also eat the leaves of some other garden plants, including lily-of-the-valley (Convallaria majalis), Solomons seal (Polygonatum), potato (Solanum tuberosum), flowering tobacco (Nicotiana), hollyhock (Alcea) and hosta.
How to Identify Scarlet Lily Leaf Beetles
Egg masses on the underside of a lily leaf. They range in color from red-orange to brown.
A chewed and defoliated lily plant may be your first indication that scarlet lily leaf beetles have arrived in your garden. Both the adult and juvenile phases are voracious feeders and they can do a lot of damage in a very short time. Examine your lilies carefully several times a week, beginning as soon as the plants emerge from the ground. Adult beetles overwinter in the soil or in plant debris, and will begin laying their eggs early in the growing season, often starting on spring-blooming fritillaria that emerge with the daffodils. Each female lays up to 450 eggs, which hatch in one to two weeks. To prevent severe damage, its important to curb the insects reproductive cycle early in the season.
The adult lily leaf beetle is scarlet red on top and black underneath. Its just under a half-inch long and has an elongated body with relatively long legs and long antennae. Though these adults do feed on the foliage, their primary concern is to reproduce. If you see the adult beetles, it is very likely that youll also be able to find egg masses on the undersides of the leaves. The red-orange to brown eggs are tiny and laid in narrow, irregular rows.
Lily leaf beetle larvae covered in a “fecal shield”
The lily leaf beetle larvae, or grubs, cause the most damage. Hundreds of larvae may hatch at one time, and they begin eating immediately. Though the leaves are their preferred food, they will also devour buds, flowers and stems. Most feeding takes place under the leaves or at leaf nodes along the stem. The larvae are yellow, brown or orange and would be relatively easy to spot if they didnt have such an effective and disgusting way of disguising themselves: As the larvae eat, they pile their excrement on top of themselves. This makes the larvae difficult to see (look for soft, brown masses), difficult to destroy (squishing the mass doesnt necessarily kill the larvae) and very unpleasant to touch (some gardeners wear latex or nitrile gloves). The larvae typically feed for 16 to 24 days and then enter the soil to pupate. Adult beetles will emerge 16 to 22 days later and continue feeding until fall.
Everything You Didn’t Know About Giant Beetles
FAQ
How do you get rid of red beetles?
- Scarlet Lily Beetle: These are red and often found on lily plants.
- Red Flour Beetle: These are small, reddish-brown beetles that infest stored food.
- Boxelder Bugs: These are red and black and can be found indoors, especially in the fall.
Why are there red beetles in my house?
The red flour beetle (similarly to the closely related confused flour beetle) is a common household insect pest that originates from infested grain or from dry, stored food products, particularly, cereal products such as flour, cake mix, cornmeal, crackers, dry pet food, and so forth.
Are red milkweed beetles good or bad?
Birds & Blooms contributor Jill Staake says it’s not necessary to eliminate milkweed bugs. “Milkweed bugs might seem like an annoyance, but they rarely cause enough damage to plants to be an actual problem,” she says, mentioning that they are “completely harmless” to monarch caterpillars and butterflies.
What is a red beetle?
This beetle is often found on herbs such as rosemary, lavender, and thyme. It is a small, shiny beetle with metallic green and purplish-red stripes along its back. The pronotum is mostly metallic green with some purplish-red markings, and the legs are a pale reddish colour. This beetle is very common throughout the UK and can be seen from June to August.
What are the identifying features of red beetles?
The identifying feature of red beetles is their bright red to dark red wing covers (called elytra). Some red beetle species also have a red head, red legs, and red antennae. The most common red beetle—the red soldier beetle—has red and black legs and black segmented antennae.
What does a red beetle look like?
Red beetles have bright red to black elytra (wing covers) that distinguishes them from other beetles. A crimson head, crimson legs, and crimson antennae are also found in certain red beetle kinds. The red soldier beetle has crimson and black limbs with black segmented antennas, which is the most frequent red bug.
What are some common types of red beetles?
Red beetles are some of the most common types of beetles in popular culture. Lady beetles are some of the most common species around the world when it comes to red beetles. However, there are hundreds of beetles that have either a base red color or red as a secondary color.
Where are most red beetles found?
Most types of beetles with red wing covers or bodies are found in grasslands, woodlands, and residential gardens. Types of red beetles include the scarlet lily beetle, red pumpkin beetle, red soldier beetle, and the cocklebur weevil. Other types of red beetles include ladybugs which are flying red beetles in the order Coleoptera.
Are black and red beetles poisonous?
The red and black combination makes these beetles appear poisonous. Some of these beetles might be toxic and many have a foul taste that predators hate as a confirmation of their looks. Black and red beetles spread across multiple species such as lady beetles and weevils.