Subject: What is this bug?
Location: Southbury ct
June 11, 2013 12:07 pm
Dear bugman, I found these cool black & orange bugs this week out back on a fungus. They were 1/2 – 3/4 inches long. The color caught our eye immediately. what is this bug? Also, if you look closely at the picture you can also see small larva / baby bugs in the background. Are the big bugs feasting on the small ones? Could this fungus be their nest? Thanks!!!!!
Signature: Liz
Dear Liz,
This beauty is a Pleasing Fungus Beetle in the family Erotylidae and the genus Megalodacne. We cannot ascertain if it is Megalodacne heros, which is larger, or Megalodacne fasciata. According to BugGuide: “Larvae feed on bracket fungi. Adults overwinter under bark, often in groups.” The larvae are grubs, and we believe that may be a larva visible in the photo you supplied.
