Net-Winged Beetles: What They Are, Why They Appear, and What They Mean for Your Garden
By Kutlwano Mokoena | Understanding one of Gauteng’s most misunderstood garden insects.
If you garden long enough in Soshanguve, you will eventually notice slow-moving beetles with soft bodies, ridged wings, and bright warning colours resting on mulch, compost, or damp soil. Many gardeners panic when they see them, assuming they are pests.
These insects are net-winged beetles, and their presence is not a problem. In fact, they are a signal — one that tells you something important about your soil, moisture, and ecosystem health.
Generated by AI: Evergreen Resilience — Net-winged beetle displaying its ridged wing structure.
What Are Net-Winged Beetles?
Net-winged beetles belong to the family Lycidae. They are named for the raised, net-like veins that run across their wings. Unlike hard-shelled beetles, their bodies are soft and flexible.
Most species display bright red, orange, or yellow markings. These colours are not decoration — they are a warning to predators that the beetles are toxic or bad-tasting.
Are Net-Winged Beetles Harmful to Plants?
No. Net-winged beetles do not feed on vegetables, fruit trees, or garden crops. Adults may sip nectar or rest on foliage, but they do not chew leaves or damage roots.
Their larvae live in soil, leaf litter, and decaying wood, where they feed on fungi and decomposing organic matter rather than living plants.
Why They Appear in Soshanguve Gardens
Net-winged beetles prefer moist, biologically active environments. They are most commonly found in gardens that use mulch, compost, and organic matter rather than bare soil.
If you practice natural mulching, living soil, or hot composting, you are creating exactly the conditions they prefer.
WHAT NET-WINGED BEETLES INDICATE
Soil moisture: Stable, not over-dry
Organic matter: Actively decomposing
Fungal activity: Well-established
Chemical use: Low or absent
The Role They Play in the Soil Ecosystem
Net-winged beetle larvae contribute to nutrient cycling by breaking down decaying plant material and supporting fungal networks. This process improves soil aggregation and nutrient availability.
Their presence supports the same soil food web that benefits crops grown in raised beds, trench systems, and compost-rich gardens.
Should You Remove or Control Them?
There is no need to control net-winged beetles. They do not multiply explosively, do not attack crops, and do not become invasive pests.
If they are present, it means your garden is functioning biologically. Removing them would provide no benefit and may harm soil balance.
Common Misidentifications
Net-winged beetles are often confused with soldier beetles or toxic blister beetles. Unlike blister beetles, net-winged beetles do not swarm crops or cause skin irritation.
Their slow movement and soft bodies are key identifiers.
Conclusion: A Sign of a Healthy Garden
Net-winged beetles are not a warning sign — they are a confirmation. They appear where soil is alive, organic matter is cycling, and chemical disturbance is low.
In Soshanguve gardens, their presence means your soil system is moving in the right direction.
Tags: net-winged beetles, beneficial insects, Soshanguve gardening, soil ecosystem, organic gardening, garden biodiversity
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