Size: Approximately 20mms long.
Distribution: Found throughout the UK.
Months observed: May to July.
Habitat: Normally found on flowers at the edges of woodlands.
Food: Feeds on other insects.
Special features: The name cardinal, actually refers to a whole group of brightly coloured, flat bodied beetles. Many of them have irridescent wing casings and thorax.
This is another cardinal called Pyrochroa coccinea. It is similar to one above but it has a black head.
Tere is another type of cardinal beetle. This one, called Anthocomus fasciatus, is only about 3mms long.
All the text books say these are common, but although they are widespread, they seem to be few in number.
Most sightings turn out to be lily beetles, a totally different species, but they can be easily confused with the cardinal beetle. Lily beetles have a much more rounded appearance, and the wing cases are covered in tiny dimples. They are a pest of lily plants/
