The Cleridae contains many species of predaceous beetles that feed on other beetles and beetle larvae in their natural habitat.
The most common prey item for checkered beetles are the bark beetles and wood boring beetles.

In general, the bulk of adult Cleridae feed mainly on other adult beetles while the larvae stage feed on other beetle larvae.
Some checkered beetles are known to have an extremely voracious appetite with some larvae able to consume "several times their own body weight" in a day.

Although most species of checkered beetles are predaceous in nature, some are scavengers and others have been found feeding on flower pollen.
Because of the checkered beetles predaceous nature and insatiable appetite, they are often key players in the biological control of other insects.
The checkered beetles have also developed a unique adaptation to aid in their quest for prey.
The beetles use pheromones to help them locate, kill, and consume their prey.

The diversity of checkered beetle's feeding habits is quite evident when different species are examined.
The Necrobia spp.
are attracted to dry carrion and other decomposing animal matter such as bones and skin as well as various meat products.
Thanasimus spp.
are found in woodland areas where bark beetle species constitute their main source of prey.
The primary source of prey for the Phyllobaenus spp.
are wood borers, immature weevils, and hymenoptera larvae.
One of the more diverse genera is Trichodes, the larvae feed on the pollen of flowering plants and adults prey upon grasshoppers and wasps.
The Cleridae contains many species of predaceous beetles that feed on other beetles and beetle larvae in their natural habitat. The most common prey item for checkered beetles are the bark beetles and wood boring beetles.
In general, the bulk of adult Cleridae feed mainly on other adult beetles while the larvae stage feed on other beetle larvae. Some checkered beetles are known to have an extremely voracious appetite with some larvae able to consume "several times their own body weight" in a day.
Although most species of checkered beetles are predaceous in nature, some are scavengers and others have been found feeding on flower pollen. Because of the checkered beetles predaceous nature and insatiable appetite, they are often key players in the biological control of other insects. The checkered beetles have also developed a unique adaptation to aid in their quest for prey. The beetles use pheromones to help them locate, kill, and consume their prey.
The diversity of checkered beetle's feeding habits is quite evident when different species are examined. The Necrobia spp. are attracted to dry carrion and other decomposing animal matter such as bones and skin as well as various meat products. Thanasimus spp. are found in woodland areas where bark beetle species constitute their main source of prey. The primary source of prey for the Phyllobaenus spp. are wood borers, immature weevils, and hymenoptera larvae. One of the more diverse genera is Trichodes, the larvae feed on the pollen of flowering plants and adults prey upon grasshoppers and wasps.
Cleridae