9-12mm. Dark to black elytra and an all-orange/red pronotum. It has thin bands at the tip of the hind femora and typically with dark mid-tibia.

Cantharis nigricans has broad black bands at the end of the femora and overall has a duller and more yellowish appearance.

Your specimen should have these features:

• 9-12mm
• a narrow black band at the tip of the hind femora
• orange/red pronotum, evenly coloured
• typically with dark middle tibia
• abdomen is bright orange (but not easy to see in live specimens)

Hedgerows and meadows. They are frequently found on open flowers such as Hawthorn and umbellifers where they feed on both nectar and pollen as well as predating other small insects.

Early May to July

The larvae are like velvety caterpillars and they feed on the ground, hunting snails and other small creatures.

Common throughout most of Britain

Fairly common in Leicestershire and Rutland.