Checkered Beetles

Family Cleridae

Dubious checkered beetle (Thanasimus dubius). Photo:Stephanie Boucher

Adults and larvae of most species are predaceous. Some adults, and a few larvae, are pollen feeders.Checkered beetles are usually found on flowers and foliage of trees and shrubs or under bark on dead branches where they feed on the larvae of wood-boring insects One species is found on carrion and can be a pest of stored meats. The Cleridae have a small, narrow elongated body that is usually covered with short hairs. Many are brightly coloured.