Cleridae (checkered beetles)

The checkered beetles (Cleridae) are small to medium-sized, elongated, often brightly colored species. Worldwide about 3600 species have been described from virtually all biogeographical realms, in Central Europe and Germany 20 species are known to occur. Numerous species are visitors of flowers and feed on other insects, but also pollen. Other representatives of the family live on trees and under the bark and prey mainly on bark beetles and their larvae. Some species are scavengers, feeding on dry carrion and animal products (dried and smoked meat, hides, bones) and can become pests. The larvae are predaceous as well.