Calopteron discrepans

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Taxonomy

• Domain: Eukaryota
• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Arthropoda
• Subphylum: Hexapoda
• Class: Insecta
• Order: Coleoptera
• Suborder: Polyphaga
• Infraorder: Elateriformia
• Superfamily: Elateroidea
• Family: Lycidae
• Subfamily: Lycinae
• Tribe: Calopterini
• Genus: Calopteron
• Species: Calopteron discrepans

Common Names by Region

• Banded Net-Winged Beetle (United States, general)
• Net-winged Beetle (general colloquial)
• “Banded Lycid” (field/collector shorthand)

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Description

General Appearance

A visually striking beetle characterized by bright orange elytra crossed with bold black bands and a distinctly ridged, net-like wing texture. This aposematic coloration signals toxicity or unpalatability to predators.

Size

• Adults: ~10–15 mm in length
• Females typically larger than males

Coloration & Markings

• Elytra: Orange with one central and one terminal black band
• Surface: Raised longitudinal and cross ridges (net-like pattern)
• Thorax: Dark with lighter margins
• Antennae: Serrate, dark

Larval Form

• Flattened, segmented, almost trilobite-like appearance
• Dark with orange accents
• Often found in clustered aggregations prior to pupation

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Known Range

• Widely distributed across the eastern United States
• Extends from New England → Florida → west to Kansas and Oklahoma
• Range expansion recorded into southern Canada (Quebec, Manitoba)

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Care / Habitat

Preferred Habitat

• Moist deciduous forests
• Woodland edges
• Areas with abundant decaying wood

Microhabitats

• Under loose bark
• Inside rotting logs
• Leaf litter and soil layers

Adult Behavior

• Commonly found resting on leaves (like in your photo), stems, or flowers
• Diurnal to crepuscular activity
• Slow-moving, relies on warning coloration rather than speed

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Propagation / Reproduction

• Eggs: Poorly documented in literature
• Larvae:
  • Develop within decaying wood ecosystems
  • Often aggregate prior to pupation
• Pupation:
  • Occurs on or near wood surfaces, sometimes in visible clusters
• Adults:
  • Likely short-lived
  • Focused on mating and dispersal

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Pests / Diseases / Threats

Predators

• Birds, reptiles, and amphibians (though often avoided due to chemical defenses)

Defense Mechanisms

• Aposematic coloration (warning colors)
• Chemical unpalatability

Environmental Threats

• Habitat loss (removal of dead wood)
• Over-cleaned forests or managed landscapes

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Additional Notes

• Ecological Role:
  • Larvae act as decomposers and micro-predators, aiding nutrient cycling
  • Adults may contribute to pollination while feeding on nectar/pollen
• Symbiotic Relationships:
  • Strong association with fungal communities in decaying wood
  • Helps disperse fungal spores
• Mimicry Complex:
  • Part of a broader mimicry system involving moths and other insects that copy its warning coloration
• Field Insight (Your Specimen):
  The individual you photographed shows clean band separation and pronounced elytral ridging, consistent with C. discrepans rather than C. reticulatum. The posture—resting along a blade with antennae forward—is typical of low-disturbance behavior.