Pollinator of the day #6 – Common red soldier beetle (Rhagonycha fulva)

These small striking red beetles are a very common sight within meadows during the summer. Adults of this beetle feed on nectar and pollen, making them excellent pollinators and they can often be found on flowers in mating pairs (or sometimes more!). Plants with open flowers such as hogweed and cow parsley are particularly favoured by this beetle. As well as being great pollinators, they also eat aphids, providing natural pest control. During the summer they can often be found on flowers in mating pairs (sometimes more!). They have a particular fondness for hogweed and cow parsley.