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Morphology

The common red soldier beetle is reddish brown with antennae, eyes and tips of the elytra black. The tarsi are broad and dark. It measures 7-10 mm long

It is a very common species in Europe, appearing from May to July..

Habitat

It is found at the woodland edges, in gardens and meadows. Numerous adults can be seen, often mating on Apiaceae along footpaths during the summer. The species occurs in many peach orchards resting on the fruit.
It feeds on pollen and small insects. It often visits flowers where it probably eats flower-eating insects.