# Common Red Soldier Beetle (*Rhagonycha fulva*) The Common Red Soldier Beetle is a bright red insect that loves to be outside in the sunshine. They are often seen on flowers, where they help pollinate plants while looking for food. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 2 - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![Common Red Soldier Beetle](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/%28MHNT%29_Rhagonycha_fulva_matting_on_Rubus_ulmifolius.jpg&width=800) Photo: Didier Descouens, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:%28MHNT%29_Rhagonycha_fulva_matting_on_Rubus_ulmifolius.jpg) ## Appearance The Common Red Soldier Beetle has a vibrant orange or red body with soft, flexible wing cases and a black head and legs. Its long, slender antennae help it sense its surroundings. It is easily identified by its distinctive bright colouration and velvety appearance, unlike hard-shelled ladybugs. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Coleoptera - **Family:** Cantharidae - **Genus:** Rhagonycha ## Interesting facts - Despite their soft look, their jaws are surprisingly strong for grabbing small insect prey! - Their larvae live hidden underground, hunting tiny creatures and even helping decompose dead matter! - They are often called 'The Lovers' because you frequently spot pairs mating on flowers! - When startled, they sometimes drop to the ground and stay perfectly still, playing dead! ## Special abilities - **Pest Patrol:** Common Red Soldier Beetles can eat garden pests like aphids, helping plants stay healthy by controlling infestations. - **Stinky Defense:** Common Red Soldier Beetles can release a foul-smelling liquid to deter predators, helping them escape danger. - **Flower Finder:** Common Red Soldier Beetles have long antennae to help them find mates and flowers for nectar and pollen. - **Pollination Helper:** Common Red Soldier Beetles carry pollen between flowers as they feed, helping plants reproduce naturally. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 18-24 mm - **Size:** 8-10 mm - **Lifespan:** 30-60 days - **Flight Speed:** 5 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding These beetles munch on small insects like aphids and also enjoy sweet pollen and nectar from flowers. - **Age differences:** Larvae are primarily predatory, living in soil and feeding on small invertebrates; adults consume insects, pollen, and nectar. - **Primary Foods:** Aphids, Pollen, Nectar, Small caterpillars, Other soft-bodied insects - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** Black Bean Aphid (*Aphis fabae*) — for protein and sustenance. - **Eaten by:** [Great Tit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-tit) (*Parus major*) — as a meal for birds. - **Pollinates:** Wild Carrot (*Daucus carota*) — while seeking nectar. - **Eaten by:** Garden Cross Spider (*Araneus diadematus*) — gets caught in its web. ## Traits - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [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. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [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 These beetles are safe to observe, but it's best not to touch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Common Red Soldier 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. ### What is Common Red Soldier Beetle's wingspan? 18-24 mm ### How big is Common Red Soldier Beetle? 8-10 mm ### How long does Common Red Soldier Beetle live? 30-60 days ### How fast can Common Red Soldier Beetle fly? 5 km/h ### What does Common Red Soldier Beetle eat? These beetles munch on small insects like aphids and also enjoy sweet pollen and nectar from flowers. ### Where is Common Red Soldier Beetle usually found? Grasslands ### How does Common Red Soldier Beetle hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Fairhaven](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/fairhaven) — Washington, US · Neighborhood - [Union Bay Natural Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/union-bay-natural-area) — Washington, US · Nature Reserve - [Lake Union Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lake-union-park) — Washington, US · Park - [Colman Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/colman-park) — Washington, US · Park - [East Duwamish Greenbelt](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/east-duwamish-greenbelt) — Washington, US · Park - [Jefferson Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/jefferson-park) — Washington, US · Park [View all places to see Common Red Soldier Beetle](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/common-red-soldier-beetle) ## 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: [Common Red Soldier Beetle: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-red-soldier-beetle)