Cantharis nigra
Description
The black elytra (wing covers) are shiny and have a layer of very fine hairs. The pronotum can be all black or may have varying amounts of red. The scutellum is black which distinguishes the red pronotum variety from the simalar C. thoracica which has a red scutellum.
Recording advice
If recording the variety with a red pronotum, the colour of the scutellum must be visible in a photograph or recorded in the comments field.
Habitat
Hay meadows, and damper grassland especially near to marsh and water.
When to see it
Late May to late July
UK Status
Relatively common across England and southern Scotland
VC55 Status
Fairly frequent in Leicestershire and Rutland. There were a total of 73 VC55 records for this species up to March 2015.
Leicestershire & Rutland Map
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