28/10/2026
Small beetle, big history. 🪲
The CMR bean beetle gets its name from the Cape Mounted Riflemen, a historic South African force whose black-and-yellow uniforms resemble the beetle’s striking markings.
But those colours aren't just for show. They warn predators that this beetle has a chemical defence that can irritate the skin.
And here’s another surprise: while adults feed on flowers, their larvae feed on grasshopper eggs.
Nature always has another story to tell. 🌿
