# Black-headed Cardinal Beetle (*Pyrochroa coccinea*) The Black-headed Cardinal Beetle is a bright red bug with a shiny black head. It loves to be in gardens and forests, where it can find flowers and plants to munch on. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 1 - **Habitat:** Forests ![Black-headed Cardinal Beetle](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Pyrochroa.coccinea.female.jpg&width=800) Photo: soebe, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pyrochroa.coccinea.female.jpg) ## Appearance The Black-headed Cardinal Beetle is easily recognized by its strikingly vivid red body and elytra, contrasting sharply with its matte black head, antennae, and legs. It has a distinctive flattened body shape, which helps it to hide. Its wing covers, or elytra, are notably soft compared to most beetles. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Coleoptera - **Family:** Pyrochroidae - **Genus:** Pyrochroa ## Interesting facts - Adults are often seen on sunny days, but their larvae are secret underground predators! - Its larvae can live for up to three years, completely hidden under tree bark! - They are named 'cardinal' for their stunning red color, just like the robes of a cardinal! - Unlike most beetles, their fiery red wing covers are surprisingly soft to the touch! ## Special abilities - **Warning Wear:** Black-headed Cardinal Beetles have a vibrant red body that warns predators they might taste bad or be toxic. - **Bark Crevice Navigator:** Black-headed Cardinal Beetles can flatten their bodies to expertly squeeze into tight spaces under tree bark. - **Hidden Hunter:** Black-headed Cardinal Beetle larvae can hunt and capture other insect larvae dwelling within dead wood. ## Measurements & details - **Size:** 10-14 mm - **Lifespan:** 10-30 days - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Adults sip nectar and pollen from flowers, while their hungry larvae hunt other insects within wood. - **Age differences:** Larvae are carnivorous, feeding on other insect larvae found under bark. Adults are primarily herbivorous, consuming pollen and nectar. - **Primary Foods:** nectar, pollen, aphids, wood-boring beetle larvae, other insect larvae - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** European Elm Bark Beetle (*Scolytus scolytus*) — Larvae prey on their larvae in dead wood. - **Eaten by:** [European Robin](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-robin) (*Erithacus rubecula*) — Adult beetles can be a food source for insectivorous birds. - **Depends on:** [Cow Parsley](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cow-parsley) (*Anthriscus sylvestris*) — Adults visit its flowers for nectar and pollen. ## Traits - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Be gentle and watch where you step, as small bugs can be easily hurt. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Black-headed Cardinal Beetle? Look for hard wing covers meeting in a line down the back, then compare the antennae, body shape, legs and markings. Metallic colors shift a lot with lighting. Beetle Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How big is Black-headed Cardinal Beetle? 10-14 mm ### How long does Black-headed Cardinal Beetle live? 10-30 days ### What does Black-headed Cardinal Beetle eat? Adults sip nectar and pollen from flowers, while their hungry larvae hunt other insects within wood. ### Where is Black-headed Cardinal Beetle usually found? Forests ### How does Black-headed Cardinal Beetle hunt? Foraging ### How many legs does Black-headed Cardinal Beetle have? 6 ## Where to spot - [Wildpark Bruderhaus](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/wildpark-bruderhaus) — Zurich, CH · Zoo ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Black-headed Cardinal Beetle Facts — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-headed-cardinal-beetle)