Ornate Checkered
Beetles
(five photos - five different-colored beetles)
Trichodes ornatus

I've seen all colors of this species, but this one was
a little different - light orange and black. ©
Carol
Davis 8-6-2019, Guardsman Pass, SL County, UT

This beetle is very similar to the third one on this page
except
for the red markings instead of yellow.
I found it at Payson Lakes in Utah County, UT.
© Carol Davis,
7-19-2009

These beetle are interesting. This one that I found in the
Kolob
Canyon
Overlook of Zion National Park is yellow with black
markings. The one below has more
extensive black with yellow
markings and the one below that one is orange with black
markings
(some articles
have said the black coloring on these beetles is actually
blue--I'll never take one apart
to check it out). © Carol Davis 6-12-2009

Ornate Checkered Beetle on the Nebo Loop near Payson
Lakes. These beetles feed on other beetles and on pollen, thus
becoming important in the pollination of plants. You can see
how the
pollen attaches to the legs. © Carol Davis, 7-6-2008

A different color of Ornate Checkered Beetle. This one
was on
globe mallow in Nevada. It's nice to know such a
beautiful flower
beetle can be beneficial in pollinating. Carol Davis,
4-12-2008

Look at all the pollen on this beetle. His coloring
makes
him
perfect for the globe mallow.© Carol Davis 4-12-2008
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