About Soldier Beetles

Soldier beetles Cantharidae are relatively soft-bodied, straight sided beetles, related to the Lampyridae or firefly family, but being unable to produce light. One common British species is bright red, reminding people of the red coats of soldiers, hence the common name. Some soldier beetles are favoured by gardeners as they consume eggs of grasshopper, aphids, caterpillars and other soft bodied insects, most of which are considered garden pests. The adults are predators of aphids. They supplement their diet with nectar and pollen and can be minor pollinators.

Chauliognathus sp.

This Chauliognathus sp. has a body length of 20 mm with black and yellow stripes on its abdomen. When flying it mimics a wasp. Its forewings cover are brick-red in colour, which mimics a Lycid Beetle. Most predators will avoid these two groups of insects, giving mimicry protection for this relatively soft beetle. Chauliognathus is apparently a compound of two Greek words chaulio meaning impressive or outstanding, plus gnathus meaning jaw.

Photo: Robert Whyte

Chauliognathus sp. mating. Photo: Robert Whyte