About the Onion Beetle
Lilioceris merdigera, the Onion beetle, is a species of beetle belonging to the family Chrysomelidae, subfamily Criocerinae. This species can be found in most Europe (especially in Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Russia, and Slovakia) and in the eastern Palearctic realm (China, Japan, and Taiwan). It has been introduced also in Brazil and Mexico.
These shining leaf beetles inhabit edges of forests, fields and gardens. Lilioceris merdigera can reach a length of 6–8 mm. Head, pronotum, elytra, femora and tibiae are bright red and elytra bear several rows of dots. It can be easily distinguished by the similar Lilioceris lilii which has black instead of red legs and head. This species is also similar to Lilioceris schneideri.
The larvae are typically covered by blackish mucilaginous substances mixed with their own faeces, that seem to have a protective function. The specific epithet merdigera derives from its habit, from Latin merda (dung) and gero (to carry). The adult beetles can produce chirping sounds through their stridulation apparatus on the anal segment.
Adults overwinter in the soil. They emerge... Wikipedia →