Cardinal Beetle

Pyrochroa coccinea

17-21mm

Late April to July

The vibrant velvety red elytra and pronotum make this beetle stand out when at rest on tree trunks or feeding at flowers. The large flattened larvae live under loose bark where they predate smaller invertebrates. The larvae are easily recognised by the sturdy forked projection at the tail end. They remain under the bark to pupate and emerge as adults in late spring.

The head and serrated antennae are black, as well as the legs and underside. The hind-wings are also very dark and the beetle flies regularly in the sun across woodland paths.

Both sexes look very similar, but females are often slightly broader. The elytra are fairly soft and flexible.

When handled or alarmed the cardinal beetle will emit a pleasant sweet odour.

Fairly common and widespread in southeast England and Wales, occurring most frequently in deciduous forest and parkland.

P.serraticornis (top, in the photo above) is the most similar species but easily distinguished by its red head, and the overall colour is often more orange than the vivid crimson of P.coccinea.