Red and black beetles do not remain hidden from the attentive observer for long. A precise determination is based on the knowledge of formative properties. Not every beetle-like insect is actually a beetle. This guide introduces you to 10 native insects that are staged in Germany with a red and black color combination.

This black and red striped insect is not a beetle but a striped bug

Table of Contents

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  1. the essentials in brief
  2. Predominantly red beetle species
  3. Mainly black beetle species
  4. frequently asked Questions

    5. the essentials in brief

    • Native beetles in red and black (predominantly red) are: fire bug (patterned), striped bug and bee beetle (red and black striped), lily beetle (red and black pest), and seven-spot ladybird (spotted).
    • Red-black beetles in the garden (predominantly black) are: grain beetle (red pronotum), four-spotted jellyfish (spotted), harlequin ladybird (spotted red), wart beetle, and nunt beetle (spotted red).

    Recognizing red-black beetles - 5 species predominantly red

    Native beetles make identification easy for the hobby gardener when the red color dominates the appearance. The following table names 5 common red-black beetles that are widespread in Germany:

    Mostly red fire bug stripe bug lily chicken Seven-spot ladybug bee beetle
    size 6-12mm 8-12mm 6-9mm 5-8mm 9-16mm
    hue bright red-orange deep red sealing wax red light to deep red bright red
    body shape flat-oval round, flat elongated-slender spherically arched elongated
    color legs black black black black black
    Special feature patterned black striped long black antennae black dots blue-black horizontal stripes
    botanical name Pyrrhocoris apterus Graphosoma lineatum Lilioceris lilii Coccinella septempunctata Trichodes apiarius
    middle name fire beetle none lily beetle seven point beetle
    family fire bugs stink bugs leaf beetle ladybug beetle

    The following short portraits provide in-depth explanations for a well-founded beetle identification.

    Fire bug (Pyrrhocoris apterus)

    Fire bugs are harmless and do little damage

    The fire bug would actually rather be a beetle. Six black legs support the flat-oval body with a distinctive red and black pattern. The trapezoidal pronotum is bright red with a rectangular black spot in the middle. Fire-red elytra decorated with round and square spots are striking. A leaf-shaped, curved, red side edge can be seen on the abdomen, which is colored black in the middle. Underside, head and antennae are black.

    • When to find: April to August/September
    • Where to find: under a tree, preferably lime, on mallow plants, such as hibiscus

    Line bugs (Graphosoma lineatum)

    If a beetle is striped red and black, it is actually a bug with a peaceful disposition. With its distinctive striped robe, the striped bug (Graphosoma lineatum) wants to deter its enemies who hunt the harmless plant sucker in Germany and Austria. Strip bugs prefer to suck on ripening seeds and do not touch other parts of the plant. If you can take a look at the underside of the beetle-like bug, you can admire black dots on a red background at this point.

    • When to find: April to October
    • Where to find: in the garden, preferably on umbelliferous plants, such as mantis, angelica, goutweed, dill or fennel

    Lily Beetle (Lilioceris lilii)

    The lily beetle is a serious pest that not only affects lilies

    The pronotum and red, rounded elytra of a lily cockerel sparkle as if freshly painted. Pitch black legs, antennae, head and underside contrast impressively. The strikingly long, black antennae are made up of eleven segments.

    • When to find: late March/early April to September
    • Where to find: on lily, imperial crown, checkered flower, lily of the valley, chives

    Seven-spot ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata)

    Representing the colorful diversity of native ladybird species is the German's favorite red and black beetle, the seven-pointed beetle. The flying lucky symbol can be recognized by its spherical, strongly curved body. There are three black dots on each of the bright red elytra. Flanking the seventh point are two white triangular marks. Two white corners adorn the front of the black pronotum. Two white dots flash on the inside of its black compound eyes.

    • When to find: April to October
    • Where to find: in the garden, always near aphids

    The following video invites you to take a stroll through the life of the most popular red and black beetle in Germany, the wonderful seven-spot ladybird.

    youtube

    Bee Beetle (Trichodes apiarius)

    From the beetle family, the bee beetle has opted for a red and black look, spiced up with blue-green, shiny metallic applications. Blue-black transverse bands adorn the bright red elytra. Pronotum, head and legs sparkle blue or green metallic.

    • When to find: May to July
    • Where to find: in the garden, on the sunny edge of the forest, on sparse hedges, in meadows

    digression

    Which red and black beetle eats flowers?

    Hobby gardeners often use beetle identification to identify a pest in the garden. If the search is aimed at a red and black beetle that eats lilies and flowers, the answer is: lily beetle. Gardeners who are close to nature do not let the pest fool them and resort to proven home remedies to combat it. A powerful water shower, powdering with algae lime and a spray of 15 ml curd soap, 15 ml spirit in 1 liter of water achieve the best results.

    Identify red-black beetles - 5 species mostly black

    Various native beetles prefer a more subtle appearance and complement their predominantly black coloring with red dots, spots and other decorations. The following 5 species are common in Germany:

    Mostly black Red-necked Grain Chicken Four-spotted juggler Harlequin Ladybug wart beetle barge beetle
    size 4-5mm 8-11mm 4-8mm 3-4mm 4.5-6mm
    hue metallic-black-red matt black, dark red shiny-black-red green black red metallic-black-red
    body shape cylindrical oval globular-domed elongated-slender boat shaped
    color legs Red orange black black yellow-brown black
    Special feature red-orange pronotum red crescent spots red dotted spotted red red transverse spots
    botanical name Oulema melanopus Hister quadrimaculatus Harmonia axyridis Anthocomus equestris Scaphidium quadrimaculatum
    middle name Grasshopper jester Asian ladybug Two-spot wart beetle Four-spotted boat beetle
    family leaf beetle clip beetle ladybug head beetle Short-winged

    Did you put the above characteristics on the right track to identify the red and black beetle? Then read on, because the following short portraits provide further details:

    Grain beetle (Oulema melanopus)

    The grain beetle is a grain pest

    Red pronotum and black-blue wing covers give the red-necked grain beetle its name. Appropriately, the native insect walks through the life of the beetle on red-orange legs. The pronotum is finely dotted, the elytra have a coarser dot pattern.

    • When to find: March to October
    • Where to find: in meadows, forests, grain fields, in the garden on sweet grasses

    Four-spotted jester (Hister quadrimaculatus)

    The name is program. A four-spotted juggler is easy to identify by a pair of red spots on the black elytra. The red blemishes are crescent-shaped and connected to each other. Dainty stripes of dots extend across the patterned elytra.

    • When to find: April to August
    • Where to find: in warm garden corners, often near pastures with horses, cows and sheep

    Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis)

    The harlequin ladybug is originally from Asia

    In the early 2000s, the Asian lady beetle was imported to Germany to control aphids. Since then, the newcomer has settled in so well that it is considered a native beetle species. Its shiny black, high arched elytra are usually dotted with red or orange. However, the ladybug loves variety, which is what its suffix Harlequin refers to.

    • When to find: April to October
    • Where to find: wherever there are aphids

    Wart Beetle (Anthocomus equestris)

    The two-spotted wart beetle demonstrates with flying colors how to decoratively stage oneself as a wart beetle. The slender, black body is adorned with red elytra with a black spot in the center and a black transverse band on the rear half. The rest of the abdomen is red again.

    • When to find: April to June
    • Where to find: in the garden, in compost, in potting soil, sometimes in the house

    Boat Beetle (Scaphidium quadrimaculatum)

    The barge beetle has a dull shiny black and red carapace

    If you encounter a red and black beetle with a boat-shaped body, you have a boat beetle in mind. Four red spots on the shiny black carapace remove the last doubts about the identity.

    • When to find: All year round
    • Where to find: on the tree, more often in the forest, less often in the garden

    tips

    The red-and-black wart beetle (Cantharis pellucida), which is native to Germany and widespread, celebrates haute couture in beetle-style. The front head and pronotum are red, the front legs and thighs are reddish-yellow, as is the first antennal segment. Elytra, back of head, tarsi of middle legs and hind legs are dull black. The beetle distributes this picturesque play of red and black colors over a tiny body length of 10 to 13 mm.

    frequently asked Questions

    Can fire bugs fly?

    No, fire bugs cannot fly. The vast majority of 95 percent of the population in Germany only has very short wings that do not allow the insect to take to the skies. The wings are normally formed on about 5 percent of the native fire bugs. Nevertheless, the red and black natural beauties do not think about flying through the garden.

    Is the red and black striped bug a pest?

    No, the red and black line bug (Graphosoma lineatum) is not a pest. The native species of bugs with stripes feeds mainly on the juice of ripe seeds. Leaves, flowers or buds are not or only in exceptional cases on the menu of the peaceful plant sucker.

    Red and black spotted beetles fly around the house and sit on the window pane? What kind is this?

    According to your description, it could be a head beetle (Anthocomus equestris). The 4 mm small beetles are red with black spots on the elytra. The beetles probably got into the house as stowaways in potting soil. Please release the harmless insects by opening the windows for a short time.

    tips

    The red and black insect looks like a hairy ant but is a beetle. Foresters have taken the ant beetle (Thanasimus formicarius) to their hearts because it hunts voracious bark beetles. Body and pronotum are red. The black elytra are decorated with two white, elegantly wavy cross bands. The picturesque appearance is rounded off by black legs, red shoulders and reddish tarsi.

Category:

Animals in the garden