Delta Flower Scarab

Delta flower scarab clinging to flower
Scientific Name
Trigonopeltastes delta
Family
Scarabaeidae (scarab beetles) in the order Coleoptera (beetles)
Description

The delta flower scarab got its name from the bright yellow triangle on its pronotum (“delta” is the Greek letter that’s a triangle). The yellow marks resemble the patterning on several types of bees or wasps (which can sting), so it might help protect this beetle from predation.

Learn more about this and other scarab beetles on their group page.

Other Common Names
D Beetle
Where To Find

Statewide.

Delta flower scarab adults eat pollen, nectar, and/or other parts plants in the carrot, daisy, and mint families, including goldenrod, coneflower, rattlesnake master, and Queen Anne’s lace. The larvae live in rotting wood.

Media Gallery
Delta flower scarab clinging to flower
The delta flower scarab (Trigonopeltastes delta) got its name from the bright yellow triangle on its pronotum (“delta” is the Greek letter that’s a triangle). The yellow pattern might help protect it, since the beetle resembles a stinging wasp.
Donna Brunet
Use of this image is restricted to MDC only
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Pair of delta flower scarabs mating on rattlesnake master flowerhead
Delta flower scarabs are usually seen visiting flowers in prairies and other open areas. They usually mate while visiting flowers.
Photo by MDC Staff, courtesy Missouri Department of Conservation
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Delta flower scarab clinging to flower
Pair of delta flower scarabs mating on rattlesnake master flowerhead
Similar Species
About Land Invertebrates in Missouri
Invertebrates are animals without backbones, including earthworms, slugs, snails, and arthropods. Arthropods—invertebrates with “jointed legs” — are a group of invertebrates that includes crayfish, shrimp, millipedes, centipedes, mites, spiders, and insects. There may be as many as 10 million species of insects alive on earth today, and they probably constitute more than 90 percent all animal species.
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