Common Red Soldier Beetle
Rhagonycha fulva
This record describes Rhagonycha fulva (species). Recorded family: Cantharidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
It has a red-orange body with a black tip. Often seen on umbelifer flowers, such as Hogweed and Cow Parsley. They are predatory on other insects visiting the flower they are resting on but also eat nectar and pollen. A very common beetle throughout most of Britain.
Wikipedia reference for Rhagonycha fulva: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_red_soldier_beetle.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Elateroidea
- Family
- Cantharidae (Soldier Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Cantharinae
- Tribe
- Cantharini
- Genus
- Rhagonycha
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Often seen on umbelifer flowers, such as Hogweed and Cow Parsley.
Seasonal Activity
The adults are seen in July and August.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
They are predatory on other insects visiting the flower they are resting on but also eat nectar and pollen.
Additional species information
Recorded status
A very common beetle throughout most of Britain.
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Rhagonycha fulva. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Coleoptera is the largest order of insects with over 400,000 described species, representing ~25% of all known animal species and ~40% of all insects. In the U.S. alone, nearly 30,000 beetle species have been identified.
Ecological role of the group
Beetles are prominent decomposers, especially in forests, breaking down dead wood and recycling nutrients. As predators, they reduce populations of pest insects. Many species are also important pollinators of flowering plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Beetles have major economic significance: leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae) and weevils (Curculionoidea) are among the most destructive agricultural pests globally, costing billions annually, while predatory species like ladybugs provide natural pest control.
Recorded sources for this group: Britannica, Smithsonian, NCSU Entomology. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Common Red Soldier Beetle (2)
Frequently Asked Questions About Common Red Soldier Beetle
What is Common Red Soldier Beetle?
Common Red Soldier Beetle (Rhagonycha fulva) is a species in the family Cantharidae, within the order Coleoptera.
Where is Common Red Soldier Beetle found?
Habitat: Often seen on umbelifer flowers, such as Hogweed and Cow Parsley.
When is Common Red Soldier Beetle active?
Common Red Soldier Beetle: seasonal activity - The adults are seen in July and August..
What is the life cycle of a Common Red Soldier Beetle?
They are predatory on other insects visiting the flower they are resting on but also eat nectar and pollen.