Arthropods Daily – Issue No. 433

The Lagria hirta, commonly known as the hairy beetle, gets its name from its rough, fuzzy appearance. It can be found in various regions including Europe, North Africa, Russia, Israel, Turkey, Iran, Iraq, Paraguay, South America, and several Asian countries. These beetles prefer sandy habitats such as open woods, grasslands, and wet meadows. They have a soft and elongated body with brown or shiny black head and thorax, yellowish-brown elytra covered in fine hairs, and large round eyes. The adults feed on nectar and pollen, while the larvae live in soil and feed on decaying vegetables. The fully-formed beetles can be seen from late May to September.