It's just about time for the familiar red and black Soldier Beetles to appear on Umbellifer flowerheads.
Rhagonycha limbata is very much smaller than the usual species - about 6mm long - but it's recognisably one of the family.
![](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tZ447WZizBg/Sh-20iZWcJI/AAAAAAAABH8/vVQ_CevaHuo/s400/rhagonycha-limbata-web.jpg)
Two much better shots of the Sawfly
Tenthredo mesomelas:
![](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tZ447WZizBg/Sh-3ZPyPmUI/AAAAAAAABIE/3W2Gp5X3Jgk/s400/tenthredo-side-web.jpg)
In common with all sawflies, the larvae are strict vegetarians (some of them are agricultural 'pests'), but many of the adults are voracious predators. Have a look at those jaws.
1 comment:
Would not like to meet those jaws in a dark alley, I think!
Great photos!
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