Animal coloration is such a significant thing done by nature. Animals possess different types of coloration, which helps to camouflage, warn predators, and avoid predators. Have you ever seen blue and red beetles? They are so beautiful and loved by insect lovers.
In this previous post, we discussed 14 fascinating green and red beetles in nature and their characteristics and features. In this article, we will discuss some enchanting blue and red beetles.
This Australian endemic species is also known as the “red and blue beetle” because of its striking blue and red appearance.
It is a small beetle with an average size of 0.8–1.5 cm and has a shiny red body with blue and red metallic elytra.
They show dramatic sexual dimorphism. Males have enlarged antennae, which they use during mating.
They are phytophagous and usually feed on the nectar and pollen of flowers. It is a beneficial insect for farmers, as they use it as a biocontrol agent.
It is known as the “Florida predatory stink bug” because it is native to Florida and feeds on many pest insect species.
It has a bluish-black or purplish-black body with red spots at the corner of the scutellum. They are very beneficial to agriculturists for natural pest control.
Platycorynus undatus | Credit: Cao Meihua (@taieol)
Scientific name
Platycorynus undatus
Size
No information
Diet
Phytophagous
Geographical location
Asia
This fascinating beetle, Platycorynus undatus, belongs to the Chrysomelidae family and is commonly found in Asia. They have striking metallic blue coloration with red bands on their elytra.
Their compressed bodies allow them to hide in narrow places and spaces between tree bark, which is why they are known for it.
According to recent research, they use their antennas to sense predators, which helps them avoid them. It feeds on the leaves of various plants, such as Acacia, Cassia, and Mimosa.
Kuschelina gibbitarsa is a flea beetle commonly found in North America. Like other flea beetles, they are small and can attain a length of up to 5.4–6.3 mm.
They have characteristic metallic blue elytra with a red head and thorax.
They are pests on several plant species, including mint, yarrow, etc. To protect the crop, farmers use several biological controls, predators feed on the larvae of these species.
This small beetle of length 7 mm is commonly found in Central North America and Mexico. As the name indicates, they have a shiny metallic bluish-green body with a red head and thorax.
Like other flea beetles, they can also jump long distances. These nocturnal beetles get attracted to the light. They are the major problem for mint fields, and farmers often use raw covers to protect them from shiny flea beetles.
The “red-blue checkered beetle” is the common name of Trichodes nuttalli. These elongated beetles are 8 to 10 mm in size and have characteristic blue and red coloration.
They have bluish elytra with red bands over them. They use their cryptic coloration to warn predators that they are poisonous and not worth eating. It is harmless to humans and not considered a pest.
They are very similar to blister beetles found in Asia in appearance, and people often get confused with them.
8. Cereal leaf beetle
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Cereal leaf beetle | Credit: entomart (commons.wikimedia)
Scientific name
Oulema melanopus
Size
5 mm
Diet
Herbivore
Geographical location
Europe and Asia
As the name indicates, they are a significant threat to cereals. The adults of this beetle are bluish in color with a red thorax and can reach a size of 5 mm.
They are commonly found in Europe and Asia and feed on the superficial layer of leaves, disturbing photosynthesis.
They are univoltine, which means they produce one generation during one breeding season. Researchers have come up with a lot of suggestions to control them.
9. Disonycha politula
Scientific name
Disonycha politula
Size
5-6 mm
Diet
Herbivore
Geographical location
Central and North America
Another species of flea beetle, Disonycha politula, is known for its distinctive characteristics. Adults of this species are small, with an average body size of 5 to 6 mm.
They have greenish-blue elytra with a red thorax and antennae. There is not much information available about these beetles, but they are thought to take one year to complete their life cycle.
They act as pests on various plants, including amaranth plants, some weed plants, etc. Under this ability, agriculturists may often use them as biocontrol agents.
10. Mealybug Ladybird
Scientific name
Cryptolaemus montrouzieri
Size
6 mm
Diet
Carnivore
Geographical location
Eastern Australia
You must have seen a black and red ladybird in your garden. But have you ever seen a blue ladybird? This Eastern Australian native beetle species is known for its incredible blue color and red thorax.
Their shape and size are very similar to those of the common ladybird. They are small and can attain a body size of up to 6 mm.
They are known as “mealybug ladybirds” because they possess a waxy covering on their wings, which makes them resemble mealy bugs and allows them to attack them better.
11. Steel blue Ladybird
Scientific name
Halmus chalybeus
Size
3-4 mm
Diet
Carnivore
Geographical location
Australia and New Zealand
Halmus chalybeus exhibits a remarkable deep blue color and has a metallic body with black undertones and two red spots.
People can find these round beetles all across Australia and New Zealand.
It is a beneficial insect as it acts on other insect pests. They usually feed scale insects and protect other plants. They are small, with an average size of 4 mm.
12. Red-legged ham beetle
Scientific name
Necrobia rufipes
Size
3-7 mm
Diet
Omnivore
Geographical location
Cosmopolitan distribution
The red-legged ham beetle has distinctive red legs. It is small, with an average size of 3.5 to 7 mm, and has metallic blue elytra and red legs and antennae.
It feeds on copra, bones, dried fish meat, etc., and is known to be a surface feeder.
During an archaeological survey of Egypt, researchers discovered them in Egyptian mummies. In 1925, people documented them as pests and threats to agricultural fields. Their wings have nine rows of hair.
It is known as a knotweed leaf beetle because it acts as a pest on knotweed plants. These beetles are small, with an average size of 3.9 to 5.0 mm. They are bluish-green with a red thorax and appendages.
Parasitoid wasps are considered one of their predators. It finds in various habitats, including meadows, fields, gardens, and wood edges.
They usually produce eggs in large numbers, like 200 at a time, and their whole life cycle gets completed in 4-6 weeks.
Their life cycles change according to their surrounding environment. This ability of this beetle makes it unique.
The dogbane beetle is the common name of Chrysochus auratus, found in eastern North America. These medium-sized beetles can grow up to 8 to 11 mm in size.
They have a dazzling metallic blue-green and reddish appearance with blue appendages. They usually feed on dogbane plant leaves, which contain toxins that can even cause cardiac arrest.
These beetles got this toxin and used it as a defense mechanism. Their mating rituals are also fascinating. Males use sex pheromones to find the fittest females for mating.
Conclusion
In conclusion, blue and red beetles may look like small and insignificant parts of nature, but they play a crucial role in balancing ecosystems.
By observing, appreciating, and reading about these beetles, we can increase our knowledge and understand the deeper secrets of nature. We will come up with another article on such creatures soon; until then, go through this.
Being a zoology student I’m always been fascinated toward animals especially insects. I love to do research and learn about different animals. As a writer I want to share my thoughts about nature through my articles. Apart from this you can find me exploring the new places and voice notes.
