Mating black Soldier beetles

One of the many species of Soldier Beetles with black elytra.
Previous IDs on this photo include C.rustica and C.nigricans but it is neither of those.

comments (5)

WildFlower

Lion

The legs are rather orange, so it could be Cantharis nigricans (Grey sailor beetle), but I am not sure either.
I found this identification key, but it is a little confusing http://sites.google.com/site/mikesinsectkeys/Home/keys-to-coleoptera/cantharidae/GenusCantharisillustratedkeytoBritishspecies.pdf?attredirects=0
http://www.thewcg.org.uk/cantharidae/0019G.htm
http://www.thewcg.org.uk/cantharidae/0023G.htm Posted 12 years ago

WildFlower

Lion

These are Soldier beetles, Ferdy, not the same as the Longhorn beetles from the other photo :) Posted 12 years ago
1. Ferdy Christant
  
  Lion
  
  Sorry, was in a rush and completely overlooked this. I created a new specie based on your suggestion. Posted 12 years ago

Pudding4brains

Lion

This should be either C.fulvicollis (aka flavilabris) or C.nigra (aka thoracica), the latter being my favourite for now. I've changed the ID to that, but may still need to correct at some point ... not an easy group to ID. Posted 8 years ago
1. Ferdy Christant
  
  Lion
  
  Thanks a lot for the effort! Posted 8 years ago