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Friend or foe? Found on a tomato plant. Doesn’t appear to be doing anything other than sitting on the leaf.
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We used to call them Cardinal beetles, not sure if that is correct, they prey on other insects -
I’ll take that
Thanks!
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It looks like it's looking at you through the corner of his eye thinking.... Friend or foe?? hahaComment
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Just looked up cardinal beetle, and it is very red in colour https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cardinal_beetle Your picture looks more brown mystery duck?Mostly flowers, some fruit and veg, at the seaside in Edinburgh.Comment
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I would have said a type of soldier beetle. Don't know if they are good but they aren't bad.Comment
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Mmm... I also noticed the cardinal was usually red. But some pictures are orange (https://www.uksafari.com/cardinal.htm).. so I assumed there was a spectrum. I also found the soldier beetle when googling the cardinal, but it has a dark bum. And they’re also considered good for the garden, apparently. The only doubt of it being a cardinal are the ridges on its sides.. but I’m going to blame that on the angle.
I need a good British bugs guide!Comment
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I also think it is a type of soldier beetle, Cantharis Rufa maybe?
https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/216.../browse_photos
I only know because I was researching this yesterday after seeing a couple in my greenhouse.
Apparently, they eat other insects, and their larvae hunt for snails, slugs and worms.
Gardensafari Soldier Beetles (Cantharidae) with many detailed pictures and backgroud information
I decided they could stay haha!Comment
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That’s spot on Pigmyhippo! Complete with side ridges. I hope it finds a mate and raises a small army of soldier beetlesOriginally posted by Pigmyhippo View Post
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These are great websites pygmyhippo, thanks very much. A help when trying to see whether something is a pal in the garden - or not!Mostly flowers, some fruit and veg, at the seaside in Edinburgh.Comment
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