Cantharis rustica

Cantharis rustica, the rustic sailor beetle, is a species of soldier beetle found from Europe to Central Russia.

Cantharis rustica
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Coleoptera
Suborder:	Polyphaga
Infraorder:	Elateriformia
Family:	Cantharidae
Genus:	Cantharis
Species:	C. rustica
Binomial name
Cantharis rustica Fallén

Description

C. rustica has black wing cases, which are protective covers for its wings. Its legs have a blackish color, and there is a heart-shaped spot on the pronotum. These features are unique for the species and can help identify this particular beetle.^[1]

In Central Europe, the adult beetles appear between May and July. Larvae are active from late summer until early spring, and in March and April they pupate.^[2]

C. rustica feeds on a wide range of species, including Sialis lutaria, Malachius bipustulatus, Adalia bipunctata, Phyllobius, Tenthredopsis litterata, Tenthredopsis nassata, Arge gracilicornis, Empis livida, Bibio marci, and Scatophaga stercoraria.^[1]

Distribution

According to GBIF records, Cantharis rustica occurs in Europe from as north as Scandinavia to the shores of the Mediterranean Sea and from the Atlantic Ocean to Central Russia.^[3]

Habitat

Cantharis rustica on a blade of grass

This beetle species has a preference for arable land,^[2] lowland grassland habitats, but it also occurs in woodland and other habitats with tall grass. Adults can be found on vegetation and flower heads from mid-May till the end of June.^[1]