Cantharis rustica (Fallen, 1807)
Length 9 to 13mm
Family: Cantharidae – Soldier Beetles.
Adult Season: May to July/ till early August, in the southern counties
This Soldier beetle is very common in Southern England, more local the further north you go in UK. Widespread throughout Europe and around the Mediterranean and east into Russia. Being one of the larger cantharid beetles, it is easily identified.
Habitat: Typically found in arable land, near woodland edges, open grasslands, gardens and parklands.
Breeding between the months of May, till early June. Eggs are laid in damp shaded soil, (usually near hedgerows and woodland borders). After about a week the eggs hatch, the larvae will go through six instars (Instars are periods the insect larvae, go through development stages) throughout the winter months, The larvae will feed on worms, snails and other insect larvae. They are ferocious predators and have a poisonous bite to immobilise prey. The larvae are tolerant to cold conditions, on a mild winter’s day, will sometimes be seen crawling across the surface of the snow, for prey. But usually in the winter months larvae are found under dead wood and in vegetation litter (like fallen leaves), before they pupate and emerge the following May as adult beetles.
The adults are strong flyers and are found feeding on a variety of flowers especially on the Apiaceae or Umbelliferae family of aromatic flowering plants, for prey. Sometimes they will also feed on the pollen and nectar, but they mainly search for prey amongst the vegetation.
Males have a longer antenna, when compared to a female’s antennae.