I first learned about the Scarlet lily beetle back in the fall from one of my friend, when she asked me to identify what kind of insect she had photographed. I immediately liked this insect very much, but I could not even imagine that I would meet it already this year, and even in the spring. This meeting was a real surprise to me and a pleasant ending to the day, because I went to take pictures as usual in the evening. During the photo session she was running around all the time, was very restless and in the end, I lost sight of her at all, but still managed to get a couple of good shots. And during the photo shoot, I was brutally attacked by a wild animal - an ant that bit me right between the fingers. I do not know what I did not please him.
The lily leaf beetle (Lilioceris lilii)
This beetle belongs to the family of leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae), which includes up to 35 thousand species.
Also locally this beetle can be called a "fire beetle", or a piscine beetle.
Its body length is 6-9 mm.
Originally the species was widespread in Eurasia, but it came to America in 1943 during transportation of lily bulbs.
When approaching danger, the beetle falls from the leaves to the ground, turns over on its back, hiding its red wings under its black abdomen; but it did not do this to me, apparently I was not so dangerous for it)). The beetle can also chirp to frighten a predator, this sound is made from the abdominal area, hence its name. This beetle is unattractive to birds because of its taste.
Adults and larvae feed on leaves.
It overwinters in a shady, moist, cool place. After wintering, it emerges from March to June.
