Cantharis cryptica

7 to 8.5 mm. An orange/brown beetle with black rings above the 'knees' and all-yellow palps. The elytra have a mixture of flat and erect hairs.

Cantharis pallida is very similar but has black tips to the palps and no flat hairs on the elytra (only erect hairs).

A photo showing the all-yellow/orange palps is required and/or the hairs on the elytra, together with a photo of the beetle as a whole.

Various habitats. It may be found in long grass, on umbel flowers, bushes and trees.

May to August peaking in July.

Widespread throughout England, Wales, more local in Scotland.

Fairly frequent in Leicestershire and Rutland. There were a total of 61 VC55 records for this species up to March 2015.