Net-winged beetles (Lycidae)

The net-wing beetles are very common in savanna areas. These beetles are flattened and sometimes leaf-shaped. The wings have characteristic longitudinal ridges. The beetles are black and yellow or reddish. Their colours serve as warning to other animals that they are distasteful. Other beetles often mimic the net-winged beetles’ colouring. The larvae resemble glow-worms. Male Lycus beetles often have different shapes than the females. The adult beetles feed on vegetation and can become pests in cultivated vegetable gardens. The adults are often found in large numbers on flowers and foliage. The larvae are often found in decaying wood, where they prey on other insects.