Red Soldier Beetle vs Coffin Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Red Soldier Beetle | Coffin Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Rhagonycha fulva | Conicera tibialis |
| Order | Coleoptera | Diptera |
| Family | Cantharidae | Phoridae |
| Size | 8-10 mm | 2-3 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Underground |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Omnivores |
| Regions | Europe | Europe, North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Red Soldier Beetle
A very common soldier beetle in Europe with orange-red elytra tipped in black. It is one of the most familiar beetles on hogweed and other umbellifer flowers.
Did You Know?
In the UK it is commonly known as the bloodsucker beetle, though it is completely harmless to humans.
Coffin Fly
A tiny humpbacked fly capable of burrowing through soil to reach buried remains. It is of forensic importance as it can colonize remains inaccessible to other insects.
Did You Know?
It can burrow through over a meter of soil to reach a food source below ground.