Malthodes spp

Date First Recorded in the Garden: 28/06/2023

Family Cantharidae: The Soldier Beetles

There are around 40 species of this family in the UK, out of a current worldwide total of an estimated 6000.

Malthodes spp

Of the 6000 or so members of this family, around 120 are associated with the Genus Malthodes. Separating the 15 or so species of Malthodes present in the UK is extremely difficult, with females in particular are impossible to tell apart. Males can apparently sometimes be identified beyond genus under magnification.

In the Garden

This small speciemen was recorded under a hazel leaf and they are probably under recorded in the Garden.