NET-WINGED BEETLE

any of the approximately 2,800 species of soft-bodied, brightly coloured, predominately tropical beetles of the family Lycidae (order Coleoptera). The broad, leathery wing covers (elytra), which are wider at the tip than at the base, and the raised network of lines on the elytra give this family its common name. The adults feed either on plant juices or on other insects and can easily be seen as they fly slowly between plants or crawl on flowers. The bold colouring of orange and black or blue probably warns predators of their acidic, burning taste.