a couple of Red soldier beetles caught in the act
Pale soldier beetles are constantly on the hunt for small insects
the black form of a Four-dotted ladybird
and all that leads to the adult version of the Seven-dot ladybird.
a Seven-dot ladybird in the pupa phase
a shiny Musk beetle
a False blister beetle checks out a buttercup
a couple of Two-spotted ladybirds working on the next generation
Insects of the uiterwaarden: Beetles
The grasslands of the nature reserves in Empel and Hedel are sparingly grazed by small herds of cattle that leave most of the
flowering plants intact.
This type of nature management provides a diverse and rich habitat for scores of insects like beetles.
In spring and early summer you can follow the different stages of development of ladybirds: from larva to pupa to an adult ladybird.
Several
types of ladybird live here, most common is the seven-spot ladybird, but lately the Asian lady beetle, an introduced exotic species, is
making a strong presence.
Scores of other beetle species buzz, creep and fly in these nature reserves like Soldier beetles,Longhorn beetles and Weevils.
The photos are from 2022 onwards.
a larva of the Seven-dotted ladybird
a larva of the Asian lady beetle
an Asian lady bird
a Red soldier beetle on the way to the top
a Malachite beetle
a Click beetle
a False oil beetle on a Buttercup
a couple of Weevils