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TranslateRhagonycha fulva
Rhagonycha fulva (Scopoli, 1763).
Family: Cantharidae – Soldier beetles.
Length 7 to 11mm
Adults: Late June through till August.
Rhagonycha fulva is better known, as the common “Red Soldier Beetle” or “Blood sucker”.
It is common and widespread throughout Europe and most of Britain.
The adults feed mainly on aphids and also eat pollen and nectar, whilst the larvae are ground dwelling and prey on invertebrates, such as snails and slugs.
Habitat: Various habitats, preferring flowery meadows, unkept grasslands, along sunny parts of hedgerows, parks and gardens. The adults are often seen in pairs mating and feeding on the Asteraceae family of plants. (Primarily on umbellifer flowers, such as Hogweed and Cow Parsley) As the adults have only 6 to 8 weeks life span, they will be commonly seen in pairs, mating. In the hedgerows and large shrubs, they will also be seen searching mostly for aphids, on the undersides of the leaves.
R. fulva is one of the main pollinators, for the successful pollination of Hogweed.
Probably R. fulva could be the species of soldier Beetle being credited for the explanation in the name “Soldier beetles.” As the colour pattern being reminiscent of the Early British “Red-Coat” Soldiers. These beetles are also referred to as leather-wings because of their soft elytra, (each of the two forewing cases, that cover the flight wings).
Read MoreFamily: Cantharidae – Soldier beetles.
Length 7 to 11mm
Adults: Late June through till August.
Rhagonycha fulva is better known, as the common “Red Soldier Beetle” or “Blood sucker”.
It is common and widespread throughout Europe and most of Britain.
The adults feed mainly on aphids and also eat pollen and nectar, whilst the larvae are ground dwelling and prey on invertebrates, such as snails and slugs.
Habitat: Various habitats, preferring flowery meadows, unkept grasslands, along sunny parts of hedgerows, parks and gardens. The adults are often seen in pairs mating and feeding on the Asteraceae family of plants. (Primarily on umbellifer flowers, such as Hogweed and Cow Parsley) As the adults have only 6 to 8 weeks life span, they will be commonly seen in pairs, mating. In the hedgerows and large shrubs, they will also be seen searching mostly for aphids, on the undersides of the leaves.
R. fulva is one of the main pollinators, for the successful pollination of Hogweed.
Probably R. fulva could be the species of soldier Beetle being credited for the explanation in the name “Soldier beetles.” As the colour pattern being reminiscent of the Early British “Red-Coat” Soldiers. These beetles are also referred to as leather-wings because of their soft elytra, (each of the two forewing cases, that cover the flight wings).
