Cantharis livida

11-14mm. All yellow/orange but with a broad black band at the base of the hind femora. The black head spot behind the eyes is unique to this species. Cantharis livida also has a darker form (var. rufipes).

Your specimen should have these features:

• 11-14mm.
• a black spot on the head behind the eyes (may be small)
• broad black band at base of hind femora
• all red front legs
• typically with black marks on the underside of the abdomen

Areas of long grass, including wasteland, parkland and open woodland.

From May to August, but June and July are peak months.

This is a carnivorous beetle, the adult hunts other insects, often waiting on flowers for potential prey to arrive. The larvae hunt snails and worms.

The species is widespread in England though never common.

Fairly frequent but not common in Leicestershire and Rutland.