red-legged ham beetle
Quick Summary
The red-legged ham beetle (Necrobia rufipes) is a small, cosmopolitan beetle known for its bluish-green iridescent coloring and reddish legs and antennae bases. It belongs to the insect family Cleridae, commonly known as checkered beetles.12
These beetles feed on animal products and cereal grains. They are often found as pests in warehouses and on ships. While adult checkered beetles typically feed on smaller insects, the red-legged ham beetle specifically consumes stored meats. The larvae of checkered beetles are generally predatory and beneficial to humans as they feed on wood- and bark-boring beetles.12
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