Onion Beetle | 10% Beneficiary to shy-fox

I found this onion beetle around the log in the shelter instead of being around the plant. It appears this beetle was lost and tried to find a way to the plant. Seeing that I managed to take a couple of pictures by the time I noticed I did not make a lot of moves. Onion beetle Lilioceris merdigera is a species of shining leaf beetles belonging to the family Chrysomelidae, subfamily Criocerinae. This typical beetle is a bright red head, pronotum, elytra, femora, and tibiae. It can be easily distinguished by the similar Lilioceris lilii which has black instead of red legs and head.

Due to a bit dark, I attempted to not disturb its way but when I was directing the lens toward its face, by all of its strength, it tried to move but it could be able to move fast. It is considered as unusual beetles because they fly with their wing cases closed (most beetles lift their wing covers well clear of the body).

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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).source

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Camera	Nikon D7000
Category	Insect Photography
Lens	Tamron Tele-Macro 70-300