Trichodes alvearius
| Distribution: | Southern Europe & North Africa |
| Size: | 17mm |
| Diet: | Pollen & small invertebrates (adults), bee & wasp grubs (larvae) |
Adult checkered bee beetles lay their eggs close to hymenopteran nests or hives (hence the name “alvearius” – the bee-hive beetle), munching on the various stages of their wasp and bee victims.
I wasn’t able to get hold of a specimen of this beautiful beetle to draw from, but luckily I was able to use a stunning photo which the talented macro photographer Thorben Danke shared with me. It’s well worth visiting his website, which is brimming with incredibly detailed and vibrant macro photos of a plethora of insects.
It’s not listed in my Esty shop just yet, but will be soon.
Take a closer look…
