(Photo taken on 03/23/09 by Marvin)
Checkered Beetle (Enoclerus ichneumoneus)
Like many insects, Checkered Beetles do not have a significant economic impact upon human agricultural endeavors and, therefore, haven't been studies a great deal. About all I could find out about them is that both larvae and adults are predators. Some adults feed on pollen, some species are attracted to carrion and stored animal products. Their typical habitat is wooded areas where they can be found under bark, in galls and around woody plants. I have seen a checkered beetle eating squash bug eggs.