Scientists at the University of Costa Rica (UCR) recently discovered a new species of beetle whose scientific name is Lagocheirus delestaly, characterized by red and yellow spots on its underside.

The beetle is about two centimeters long, has two long antennas with 11 segments and belongs to the cerambycidae family, explained UCR researcher Humberto Lezama.

This species was discovered at the university's Alberto Manuel Brenes Biological Reserve in San Ramón, northwest of San José.

Scientists believe its habitat is cloud forests 700 meters above sea level, but more research is needed to confirm this. It reproduces by laying eggs inside a tree trunk, Lezama said.

The four of these beetles that scientists are studying were captured using a light trap that attracts these insects and causes them to eventually fall onto an adhesive screen. This technique does not harm the beetles, Lezama said.

UCR hopes to soon receive a grant from the Agrarian Research Institute of Madrid (INIA) for further research of these beetles.