Longhorn Beetle

Pachyteria equestris

Illustration of a bright red and black beetle with yellow antennae
Distribution:Malaysia
Size:30mm body
Diet:Rotting wood

Another member of the long horn family, P.equestris is notable for its bright red coloration. This is likely a form of aposematism, where an animal’s colouration warns would-be attackers that they’re unpleasant to eat. It’s why I always pack a red shirt if I know I’m visiting lions.

Capturing the shiny but pitted thorax and elytra (see below) took a long time, but at least I now know I can probably draw a strawberry if asked.

Take a closer look…

Close up of the beetle's antennae and strawberry-like thorax
Close up showing the detail of the beetle's bumpy elytra