Soldier Beetle

These beetles are closely related to glow worms
(which are beetles, not worms!).

The Soldier Beetle is called a 'blood sucker' in some parts of the country but they do not suck blood!
They can be found in large numbers on plants, because they consume plant-eating insects, particularly aphids.

They are called "Soldier Beetles" because the pre-20th century army uniform was red.

Canterbury Environmental
Education Centre

Soldier Beetles eat :

The adults eat mostly other insects. They also eat pollen and sometimes nibble on oak shoots. The larvae of soldier beetles eat mainly slugs and snails.

They are eaten by :

birds, hedgehogs, frogs and badgers.

Group: Insecta