KINGDOM: Animalia | PHYLUM: Arthropoda | CLASS: Insecta | ORDER:Coleoptera | FAMILY:Pyrochroidae (fire-colored beetles)

Like all beetles, Fire-Colored Beetles (family Pyrochroidae) have chewing mouthparts and hardened front wings (elytra) that meet in a straight line down the back of the abdomen when closed.  Commonly encountered Kentucky fire-colored beetles are a little less than 1" long.  Some species are much smaller.  Most have dark elytra (wing covers) and many are marked with orange or red on the head, legs, or thorax.  Some species are orange all over their bodies.  Fire-colored beetles have long, straight antennae, and many individuals (especially males of certain species) have distinct "pectinate" (comb-like) antennae.  

Like all beetles, fire-colored beetles undergo a complete metamorphosis with egg, larval, pupal, and adult stages.  Females lay eggs on decaying wood.  Upon hatching in the summer, larvae live and feed underneath the loose bark of decaying trees.  As they grow, larvae shed their skins several times before pupating.  Adults emerge during the summer.

Fire-colored beetle larvae are commonly found underneath the loose bark of decaying trees in Kentucky forests.  Little is known about the biology of the larvae, but they are believed to be predators and likely feed on other wood-dwelling invertebrates like worms, termites, ants, and other beetle larvae.  Larvae are slow moving and soft bodied, so they are easy prey for larger predators, especially centipedes, which live in the same habitat.  Less is known about adult fire-colored beetles, but they have been observed visiting flowers where they probably feed on pollen and nectar.  

Fire-colored beetles are not considered pests.  Because the larva live under the bark of dead wood, they are sometimes seen on firewood that is brought into the home.  Read our ENTfact for more information about Firewood Insects.

Neopyrochroa spp.
GENUS: Neopyrochroa

Adult fire-colored beetles are typically slow-moving, so they are easy to capture or photograph. They are not always easy to find, though.  Look in Kentucky forests during summer months.  Fire-colored beetles may also occasionally come to lights at night.  Fire-colored beetle larvae are easier to find than adults.  Look under the loose bark of decaying trees.  Larvae are slow-moving and easy to capture.  Like all insect larvae, fire-colored beetles should be preserved in ethyl alcohol if kept as part of an insect collection.

See more pictures of fire-colored beetles at Tom Murray's nature photography site.

Do you know any myths, legends, or folklore about fire-colored beetles?  If so, let us know!