The cardinal beetle (Pyrochroa serraticornis) is a red to orange beetle with a red head. It is approximately 20 mm long. The Black-headed Cardinal beetle (Pyrochroa coccinea) is larger and a deeper blood red.
The cardinal beetle preys on other insects and is normally found on flowers at the edges of woodland
The cardinal beetle is a strong flier. The cardinal beetle is bright red; in that way it warns predators that it is toxic.
People often mistake the smaller Scarlet lily beetle, Lilioceris lilii, for a cardinal beetle.
Pyrochroa serraticornis, which is very similar to P. coccinea except it has a red head instead of a black one, is also referred to as a Cardinal beetle.
Famous quotes containing the words cardinal and/or beetle:
“What people don’t realize is that intimacy has its conventions as well as ordinary social intercourse. There are three cardinal rules—don’t take somebody else’s boyfriend unless you’ve been specifically invited to do so, don’t take a drink without being asked, and keep a scrupulous accounting in financial matters.”
—W.H. (Wystan Hugh)
“Ere the bat hath flown
His cloistered flight, ere to black Hecate’s summons
The shard-born beetle with his drowsy hums
Hath rung night’s yawning peal, there shall be done
A deed of dreadful note.”
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616)