What bug is this?

[Bohobumble]

There's loads of them on my plot, especially on the broad beans and they're mating like crazy.

I've observed them, they don't appear to eat the crop, nor the black fly on them either so I don't know if they are friendly or foe.

I'm worried in storing up a larval issue for myself but don't want to interfere if they're friendly.

Please help!

[Jay22]

Bohobumble, don't laugh but had a root around the internet and came up with this...hope link works. Your bug looks very similar to this?


black-tipped orange beetle - Rhagonycha fulva - BugGuide.Net

If it is this, it seems he is a long way from home!

Or this? Rhagonycha fulva, black-tipped soldier beetle, bloodsucker beetle...you'll find him 3rd down on this link.
http://www.bumblebee.org/invertebrates/ColeopteraL.htm

[Glutton4...]

Looks like a Lily Beetle to me.

[Nicos]

Deffo a black tipped soldier beetle aka bloodsucker beetle.

It's very much a goodie....leave it be

Bet you're glad you asked now!

[Guest]

I don't know what he is, but I get them in the paddock I don't think they are a bad. However your plants are notched and look like possible pea and been weevil to go with your aphids Sorry G4 I can happily say he is not a lily beetle, but annoyingly I can't say what he is

[Martin H]

I agree with Jay and Nicos, it's a soldier beetle and it's one of the good guys. It's not been eating your plants.

[PyreneesPlot]

We have lots of them and they are friends

[Bohobumble]

I don't know what he is, but I get them in the paddock I don't think they are a bad. However your plants are notched and look like possible pea and been weevil to go with your aphids Sorry G4 I can happily say he is not a lily beetle, but annoyingly I can't say what he is

Yeah I had pea and bean weavil earlier in the year, wasn't that fussed about that, was more upset by the black fly, but the fish oil stuff and the ladybirds were on the case!

I've decided to finish the broad beans now, clipped them up today, I'll be sowing late peas in their place

[Bohobumble]

Thanks all, looks like the soldier beetle is the winner, I'll see what he likes to eat and leave him be.

[Gillykat]

Up here in Northumberland we call them Red Sh*****g Beetles because that's the standard position they always seem to be in

[Two_Sheds]

Looks like a Lily Beetle to me.

nah, they are bright scarlet