A pale soldier beetle, Cantharis livida. This beetle can defend itself with chemical compounds secreted as a defense mechanism against predators, thus the name soldier beetle.

#palesoldierbeetle #Cantharidae #flugbagge #coleoptera #insectphotography #naturephotography #biodiversity #RF100/2.8

Soldier beetle (Cantharis livida I believe?) in the garden, Leeds UK. May 2025.

One of many currently basking on my wildflowers 💚

#soldierbeetle #lividsoldierbeetle #palesoldierbeetle #cantharislivida #insect #natureinbritain #beetle #macrophoto