Checkered beetle (Trichodes alvearius) is a species of Soldier or belonging to the family Cleridae. It is is a very hairy beetle with black head and scutellum. The elongated elytra show a bright red colour with black bands. This species can easily be distinguished from Trichodes apiarius by the black stripe down the middle of the back (along the inner edge of the elytra) and the red apex, not reached by the black terminal stain.It is usually found on flower heads, feeding on pollemn and it does not fly readily, relying instead on its warning coloration to protect itself from predators. Podere Montecucco, Orvieto, Umbria, Italy. June 2020