Cantharis rustica

Cantharis rustica

Click here to support NatureSpot by making a donation - small or large - your gift is very much appreciated. Thank you.
Description

9 to 12.5 mm. It has black, shiny elytra (wing cases) covered in fine hairs. The red/orange pronotum has a central black heart spot. The mid and hind tibia are black.

Identification difficulty
ID checklist (your specimen should have all of these features)

Your specimen should have these features:

  • 9-12.5mm
  • black wing cases
  • black heart-shaped spot on the pronotum
  • blackish tibia
Habitat

Areas with tall grasses, and in open woodland.

When to see it

Mid May to late June

Life History

It is a predator and hunts mainly on flowers.

UK Status

Common throughout England and Wales

VC55 Status

Fairly common in Leicestershire and Rutland.

  • David Nicholls
    Ratby
    09 June 2012
  • David Gould
    The Spearwort Fields, Aylestone, Leicester
    05 June 2016
  • David Nicholls
    Lea Meadows NR
    27 May 2020
  • stepgray4
    Narrow Lane, Wymeswold
    06 June 2021
  • David Nicholls
    Grace Dieu
    06 June 2008
  • Paul Ruddoch
    Melton Country Park
    22 May 2015
  • David Nicholls
    Ratby
    24 May 2014

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020

UK Map

Additional images

All NatureSpot records