This is a photo (taken with my phone again!) of an adult (red headed) Cardinal Beetle, Pyrrochroa serraticornis; spotted on a walk myself and Anna took today, along the Thames at Marlow. (click photo to enlarge - bear in mind that this beetle in real life is only about 1cm long).
This beetle is common in England, and is similar to Pyrrochroa coccinea, the (black headed) Cardinal Beetle found in Wales, the west-country and the west-midlands only.
The difference between the two species lies (obviously) in the colouration of the head, and the very serrated comb-like antennae of the red-headed species.
Both Cardinal Beetles feed on smaller insects.
NB. The similarly coloured "Soldier Beetle" (named after red and black military uniforms) is possibly the beetle that one is most likely to see on Fool's Parsley (like above), as not only is it a predatory beetle like the Cardinal Beetles, but it will also take nectar and pollen from the flowers.
Photos of the Black Headed Cardinal Beetle (left) and the Common Soldier Beetle (right) are shown below for comparison. (Photos below not taken by me).
We enjoyed a lovely drive through the country today - we were trying to spot Poppies and Anemones for future photographs! We also had a really nice little walk up the river Thames from Marlow bridge to Bisham Abbey.
We saw lots of nice things... ladybirds, beetles, Grey Wagtails, Goldfinches (which Anna spotted), a wonderful Kingfisher at close range (which I heard first - little tip), Kites and a Buzzard.
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