Arthropods Daily – Issue No. 156

The common red soldier beetle, scientifically known as Rhagonycha fulva, is a species of beetle that measures 8-10 millimeters in length. It is characterized by its orange head and pronotum, black antennae, and dark shiny red elytra. This beetle is commonly found in Europe and Anatolia, but has also been introduced to North America, specifically British Columbia and Quebec. Adults feed on aphids, pollen, and nectar, while the larvae prey on ground-dwelling invertebrates. They are active between June and August and are often found mating on open-structured flowers such as Cow Parsley and Hogweed. R. fulva is also an important pollinator for species of Hogweed.