The black-headed cardinal beetle (Pyrochroa coccinea) is a member of the fire-colored beetle family Pyrochroidae. It is approximately 20 mm long and brightly-colored red or orange. Males and females differ by the shape of their long, straight antennae: those of males are comb-like, those of females saw-like [thus, the specimen in my photograph is a female].
The larva is carnivorous and lives under loose bark or within rotting wood. It is long and worm-like with a distinct, flattened body and horn-like projections on the final abdominal segment. The adult is a strong flier. It preys on other insects and is often found on flowers at the edges of woodland.
This and the previous photograph were taken in the nature reserve ‘La Petite Camargue Alsacienne’. Today’s photo is from my photo archive.
Astrid
4 May 2024Nachtdienst und Zeit, um schöne Bilder zu schauen, wenn es ruhig ist. Da sollte ich auch mal wieder hin. 🙂
admin
5 May 2024Danke für deinen netten Kommentar, Astrid. Ich freue mich über deine regelmässigen Besuche meines Fotoblogs. Und ja, die Petite Camargue ist zu jeder Jahreszeit ein Besuch wert.