Cantharis pellucida
Cantharis pellucida
Their common name, soldier beetle, comes from their bright red and black coats, which reminded early British naturalists of military uniforms.
- Scientific name
- Cantharis pellucida
- Taxonomy
- Animalia › Arthropoda › Insecta › Coleoptera › Cantharidae › Cantharis
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- forest
- Habitat
- Woodland edges, hedgerows, meadows, and gardens.
- Diet
- Adults eat nectar, pollen, and small soft-bodied insects like aphids; larvae hunt snails and worms in leaf litter.
- Range
- Europe, Western Asia
- Size
- 10 to 15 mm in length.
- Lifespan
- Approximately 1 year (mostly spent in the larval stage; adults live for 4-6 weeks).
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Pesticide application, loss of hedgerows, and intensive mowing of wildflower margins.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless. These beetles are safe to observe at any distance. They do not sting or bite humans, though they may secrete a harmless, bitter fluid if handled roughly. Wash hands with soap and water if you touch them.
Cantharis pellucida is a species of soldier beetles native to Europe....
Photo: portioid, CC-BY, via iNaturalist
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