This observation is an older one, but too cool not to share! Kamal reports, “It flew and landed on the clothing that matched its color.” We wonder if this was a chance encounter or if the beetle was attracted to red? As their common name implies, Flat Bark Beetles (Cucujidae) are extremely flat, allowing them to live in the narrow spaces between the bark and wood of dead trees, logs, and stumps. Both the adults and the larvae prey on other beetles that develop in wood. Other small arthropods, fungi and plants are also on the menu. When not posing for a photo, this species is most often found under tree bark, especially pines and poplars.
Size: 10 mm-17 mm
Photos by: Kamal Anny Alice Fox on 5/5/22 near Stevensville, MT
