Rustic Soldier Beetle vs Banded Fungus Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Rustic Soldier Beetle Banded Fungus Beetle
Scientific Name Cantharis rustica Triplax russica
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Cantharidae Erotylidae
Size 11-15 mm 3-5 mm
Habitat Underground Woodlands
Diet Predators Fungus Feeders
Regions Europe Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Rustic Soldier Beetle

A common European soldier beetle with dark elytra and an orange-red pronotum marked with a black spot. It is an active predator on flower heads.

💡

Did You Know?

The dark heart-shaped mark on its pronotum is a reliable identification feature across its range.

Banded Fungus Beetle

A small, attractively colored beetle with a red thorax and dark blue-black elytra. Lives on bracket fungi on dead trees. Part of a family known for bright coloring.

💡

Did You Know?

The contrasting red and blue-black coloring makes this one of the most attractive fungus beetles.