Cantharis decipiens

7.5 - 8.5mm. The orange/brown elytra and distinctly marked thorax help to distinguish this species from other Cantharis beetles.

Rhagonycha limbata has similar colours but the black mark on the pronotum has an angled and not rounded base. Rhagonycha testacea is also similar but here the black mark on the pronotum reaches the front edge - in the other species it stops short leaving a narrow yellow margin.

Your specimen should have these features:

• 7.5 - 8.5mm
• orange/yellow pronotum and elytra
• butternut squash black mark on pronotum
• black scutellum
• typically black hind legs

Can be found in a range of habitats, particularly where there are trees and shrubs, and particularly fond of Hawthorn blossom

They are found from April through to late July/early August

Fairly frequent throughout England and southern Scotland

Common in Leicestershire and Rutland.