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TranslatePyrochroa serraticornis
Pyrochroa serraticornis (Linnaeus, 1762) known as: The red-headed cardinal beetle.
Length: 20mm
Family: Pyrochroidae.
Season: May to July.
The red-headed Cardinal beetle is more common of the three species of Cardinal beetles, Pyrochroa coccinea has a black head. The smaller and scarcer Cardinal beetle, “Schizotus pectinicornis” also has a black head. (9mm in length) At present only found at a few sites in Scotland and Wales.
P. serraticornis is a widespread beetle and seen over most of England and Wales, also the woodland habitats over most of Europe.
Habitat: Edges of woodlands, along hedgerows, grasslands, parks and gardens in the summertime usually near water. Often preying on other insects on the loose bark of broadleaved trees that have fallen and starting to rot. The beetles red colouration helps to protect them from would be predators. (red coloured insects are believed to be toxic to many predators) The larvae have a flattish appearance, which enables them to live under the loose bark of deciduous trees; feeding on other insects.
As the weather becomes warmer the adult beetle will feed on flying insects and will also visit a variety of flowers, they also like to bask for long periods on large leaves.
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Read MoreLength: 20mm
Family: Pyrochroidae.
Season: May to July.
The red-headed Cardinal beetle is more common of the three species of Cardinal beetles, Pyrochroa coccinea has a black head. The smaller and scarcer Cardinal beetle, “Schizotus pectinicornis” also has a black head. (9mm in length) At present only found at a few sites in Scotland and Wales.
P. serraticornis is a widespread beetle and seen over most of England and Wales, also the woodland habitats over most of Europe.
Habitat: Edges of woodlands, along hedgerows, grasslands, parks and gardens in the summertime usually near water. Often preying on other insects on the loose bark of broadleaved trees that have fallen and starting to rot. The beetles red colouration helps to protect them from would be predators. (red coloured insects are believed to be toxic to many predators) The larvae have a flattish appearance, which enables them to live under the loose bark of deciduous trees; feeding on other insects.
As the weather becomes warmer the adult beetle will feed on flying insects and will also visit a variety of flowers, they also like to bask for long periods on large leaves.
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