# Reticulated net-winged beetle (Calopteron reticulatum) > A brightly coloured, soft-bodied beetle of woodland edges and flowers in eastern North America; distasteful to predators but harmless to people. Source: https://insectscanner.com/species/reticulated-net-winged-beetle/ (updated 2026-10-10) ## Is it dangerous? **Non-toxic.** Not venomous and not known to bite. The adults are distasteful to predators and may exude defensive chemicals if handled; handle gently or avoid touching to prevent skin irritation from secretions in very rare cases. **Pets:** Generally harmless to pets. As with humans, avoid forcing pets to eat them because chemical defenses may cause mild stomach upset. ## Quick facts - Scientific name: Calopteron reticulatum - Also called: Net-winged beetle - Order: Coleoptera (Beetles) - Family: Lycidae (Net-winged beetles) - Size: 10-20 mm long - Colours: Orange, Red-orange, Black - Habitat: Deciduous and mixed woodlands, forest edges, meadows and places with abundant flowering plants; larvae in leaf litter, under loose bark and decaying wood. - Range: Eastern North America: widespread in the eastern United States and southern Canada. - Active: Late spring through summer (varies by latitude); diurnal (active in daylight). - Lifespan: Adult lifespan not well documented; adults are typically seen for a few weeks to a couple of months during the season. - Effect on plants: Harmless - Pest: no ## Overview Calopteron reticulatum is a member of the net-winged beetle family (Lycidae). Adults are often seen on foliage, flowers and low shrubs in deciduous or mixed woodlands during warm months. They have soft, papery elytra with a reticulated (net-like) pattern of ridges and are aposematic (warningly coloured), which helps deter predators. Larvae live in leaf litter, under bark or in decaying wood and are thought to be predatory or saprophagous. This species is not considered an agricultural or household pest. ## How to identify it Adults are elongated, somewhat flattened and soft-bodied, with elytra that widen toward the tip and are covered in a network of raised ridges. The elytra are orange with a broad black band across the middle and black on the rear third; the pronotum is orange with a black central marking. Head and antennae are dark, and the antennae are flattened and somewhat saw-toothed. - Soft-bodied, elongated beetle 10-20 mm long with netted (reticulate) elytra that widen toward the tip. - Orange elytra with a black band across the middle and a black rear third. - Elytra finely ridged giving a papery, netted appearance common to Lycidae. - Found on foliage, flowers or low shrubs in woodland edges during daylight. ## Lookalikes - **End band net-winged beetle** (Calopteron terminale): Very similar shape and colour, but the elytra are orange with black only at the tip and lack the black band across the middle. - **Lycus net-winged beetles** (Lycus spp.): Lycus species (mainly in the southwestern US and Mexico) also have bright warning colours but usually have a snout-like extended head and a different elytral pattern. ## Life cycle - **Egg:** Laid in protected places such as under bark or in leaf litter; eggs hatch into larvae. - **Larva:** Elongate, somewhat flattened larvae live in leaf litter, soil, or under bark and are believed to feed on small invertebrates or decaying organic matter. - **Pupa:** Larvae pupate in sheltered sites in the litter or wood before emerging as adults. - **Adult:** Winged, brightly coloured beetles active on vegetation and flowers; adults are primarily involved in reproduction and dispersal. ## Diet and predators - Young eat: Thought to be predatory on small invertebrates or feed on decaying organic matter; precise diet not well documented. - Adults eat: Often visit flowers for nectar or pollen, may feed on plant sap or honeydew; adults are not significant feeders on living plants. - Predators of the young: Ground-dwelling predators such as ants and other predatory arthropods. - Predators of adults: Birds and predatory insects may attempt to eat them but often avoid them because adults are chemically defended and taste bad. ## Effect on plants and gardens Adults visit flowers and foliage; they do not cause significant damage to living plants or crops. ## Where and when to find it Look on flowers, leaves and low shrubs in woodland edges and clearings; check leaf litter and under loose bark for larvae. - Best time: Late spring through summer during daylight hours. - Tips: Photograph against foliage or flowers to show the netted elytra; approach slowly as adults may fly short distances when disturbed. ## Fun facts - Net-winged beetles get their name from the reticulated (net-like) pattern of ridges on their elytra. - Their bright colours warn predators: many net-winged beetles are chemically defended and taste bad. - Some harmless insects mimic Lycidae colouring to gain protection from predators (Batesian mimicry). ## Frequently asked questions ### Are reticulated net-winged beetles poisonous? They are not dangerous to humans. Adults have chemical defenses that make them distasteful to predators but they are not known to be poisonous if touched. ### Do they bite or sting? No. They do not sting and are not known to bite people. ### Why is one in my house? Occasional adults may wander indoors after being attracted to lights or while searching for mates. They do not infest homes or breed indoors. ### How do I get rid of them? The simplest method is to gently capture and release them outdoors. They are not pests, so chemical control is unnecessary. ### Where do they live? They live in deciduous and mixed woodlands, often on foliage, low shrubs and flowers; larvae inhabit leaf litter, under bark, or decaying wood. --- More about this species: [iNaturalist](https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/132719), [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calopteron_reticulatum). Identify insects and spiders from a photo with the Insect Scanner iPhone app: https://apps.apple.com/app/id1543946563?pt=126685406&ct=web-markdown&mt=8 Identification from photos is never certain: don't handle insects you can't identify, and get medical advice for bites, stings or allergic reactions.