About Cantharis livida Linnaeus, 1758
Cantharis livida reaches a length of 10–15 millimetres (0.39–0.59 in). The body of this species is flat and long, with a weak exoskeleton. Its colouring is quite variable, and depends on the subspecies. Elytra are usually yellow or reddish-brown, but in the subspecies rufipes they are black or dark brown. The head, thorax, and abdomen are bright red or orange. The long antennae are reddish, with darker tips. The legs are reddish, with brownish tarsi. These soldier beetles can be found on flowers, trees, and shrubs from May to July, where they hunt small insects. The larvae are also predators, and feed on snails and earthworms. This species is present in most of Europe, the eastern Palearctic realm, and North Africa. It has also been introduced to eastern United States and Canada. Cantharis livida lives in bushes, forest edges, and meadows.
