Harlequin Flower Beetle

This large yellow beetle is covered in an inky black mark, whose shape depends on the individual beetle.

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Image Credit: Richard R. from Corpus Christi, TX

Full-sized image #1 of the Harlequin Flower Beetle

Thumbnail image #1 of the Harlequin Flower Beetle

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Image Credit: Richard R. from Corpus Christi, TX

Full-sized image #2 of the Harlequin Flower Beetle

Thumbnail image #2 of the Harlequin Flower Beetle

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Image Credit: Catherine S. from FL

Full-sized image #3 of the Harlequin Flower Beetle

Thumbnail image #3 of the Harlequin Flower Beetle

TAXONOMY:

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Arthropoda

Class: Insecta

Order: Coleoptera

Family: Scarabidae

Genus: Gymnetis

Species: thula

Harlequin Flower Beetles are yellow and black, but individuals vary in how much of each color is present. Two beetles next to each other might look related, but not identical, even though they are the same species. This Scarab beetle is broad and big for its size. It can fly, but is more often seen walking on flowers, woodland floors, or trees.

The range for this species includes Texas and the eastern parts of Mexico, but populations exist along the Louisiana coast all the way east into most parts of Florida as well. The larvae are usually seen by oaks, mesquite, and other trees, but the adults visit flowers, ripe fruit, and streams of tree sap on trunks. It is not considered a threat to people or plants. ©BeetleIdentification.org

The Harlequin Flower Beetle is typically 0.6 inches to 0.8 inches (16mm to 21mm) in size and has the following descriptors / identifiers: yellow; black; birthmark; marking; large; flying; big; hercules.

It has a typical diet of the following: plant liquids.

Color Identification Guide

Various colors commonly associated with this beetle.

Yellow

Black

Beetle Anatomy

Territorial Area Map (Visual Reference Guide)

The map below showcases (in blue) the states and territories of North America where the Harlequin Flower Beetle may be found (but is not limited to). This sort of data can be useful in seeing concentrations of a particular species over the continent as well as revealing possible migratory patterns over a species' given lifespan. Some species are naturally confined by environment, weather, mating habits, food resources and the like while others see widespread expansion across most, or all, of North America.

Alaska

Hawaii

Prince Edward Is.

Territory map graphic of the country of Mexico

Contiguous United States shape map layer graphic

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