Friday 24 May
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Soldier beetle (Rhagonycha fulva)
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Find out here.Soldier beetle fact file
- Description
- Biology
- Range
- Habitat
- Status
- Threats
- Conservation
- Find out more
- Glossary
- References
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Soldier beetle description
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Arthropoda |
| Class | Insecta |
| Order | Coleoptera |
| Family | Cantharidae |
| Genus | Rhagonycha (1) |
This soldier beetle called the ‘bloodsucker’ in some areas because of its bright red colouration. It is the most common soldier beetle in Britain, and is typically seen on large flower heads, often in mating pairs (2). Soldier beetles are elongated beetles that have soft bodies. The red wing cases (elytra) are covered with short downy hair and are black at the tips (3). The common name of the group, soldier beetle has arisen as a result of most members of the family being red and black in colour (3).
- Also known as
- bloodsucker.
- Size
- Length: 7 – 10 mm (2)
- Elytra
- In beetles and earwigs, the hard fore wings. They are held aloft when the insect flies, and are often coloured or patterned.
- Larvae
- Stage in an animal’s lifecycle after it hatches from the egg. Larvae are typically very different in appearance to adults; they are able to feed and move around but usually are unable to reproduce.
- National Biodiversity Network Species Dictionary (January2004): http://www.nhm.ac.uk/nbn
- Harde, K.W. (2000) Beetles. Silverdale Books, Leicester.
- Chinery. M. (1993) Insects of Britain and Northern Europe. Harper Collins Publishers Ltd, London.
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Related species
Soldier beetle biology
The adults are seen from late June to August and occasionally survive into September (2). Although typically seen on flower heads, this beetle is carnivorous and feeds on other insects that visit the flowers (3). It is often seen in pairs because copulation takes a relatively long time (2). The ground-dwelling larvae are also carnivorous (3).
TopSoldier beetle range
Very common throughout Britain and much of Europe (1) (2).
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Species with a similar range
|
You can view distribution information for this species at the National Biodiversity Network Gateway. |
Soldier beetle habitat
Occurs in a wide range of habitats including gardens and road verges (2).
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Species found in a similar habitat
Soldier beetle status
Not threatened (2).
TopSoldier beetle threats
This species is not threatened.
TopSoldier beetle conservation
Conservation action is not required for this species.
|
View information on this species at the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre. |
|
|
There may be further information about this species available via the National Biodiversity Network Gateway. |
Find out more
For more on invertebrates and their conservation see Buglife- the invertebrate conservation trust:
http://www.buglife.org.uk
Authentication
This information is awaiting authentication by a species expert, and will be updated as soon as possible. If you are able to help please contact: arkive@wildscreen.org.ukTopGlossary
References
More »Related species
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Soldier beetles
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