[PIC] Can anyone help me identify this bug?

Hello everyone,

I'm trying to determine if this is a beneficial insect or an evil plant eater. Just looking at it I'm assuming it's part of the beetle family. It has a red back with a black under belly. I'm based out of Southern California. The plant is in a pot, outside.

Last week I dusted my plants with DE after I noticed a few tiny holes on some of the smaller leaves. I looked around and I'm not noticing any new or significant damage. Overall my plant is doing fine. I think the DE is working great and once my plant's leaves drive off from today's watering, I plan on dusting my plant with more DE.

Anyway, I know a picture is worth a thousand words, so here you go. Any feedback on this red beetling looking creature would be greatly appreciated.

Hey guys, I know this one was a tough one. I still haven't figured out the name of this bug, but I haven't noticed any new damage to my plants either. The diatomaceous earth is working really well. After dusting it onto my plants I watched and waited. I noticed a few of these bugs died after a few minutes (same kind as the ones in the photo in my first post).

I started my plants indoors and kept them in their vegetative cycle for over a month, then I moved them outside, and it's been another month since then. Besides that ugly bug in the photo, I haven't had any other problems with pests.

Jadera haematoloma aka Soapberry bug. They feed on seeds.