# 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.

- **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.

## About

Cantharis pellucida is a species of soldier beetles native to Europe....

## Sources

- Plate: https://gaia-dex.com/species/7d327b5e-c86d-40b2-bf15-14670b0fe5ee
- iNaturalist: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/450666
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cantharis pellucida
- Conservation status: IUCN Red List category, as recorded by Gaia-Dex
- Photo: https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/8686137/medium.jpg (portioid, CC-BY, via iNaturalist)

Habitat, diet, size and similar notes are AI-written summaries; check them against the linked sources before relying on them.