Rhagonycha

Eschscholtz, 1830

soldier beetle

Species Guides

33

Rhagonycha is a of soldier beetles in the Cantharidae containing at least 140 described distributed across Europe, North America, and Japan. The genus includes two subgenera: Rhagonycha (type species R. fulva, the common red ) and the Ussurycha. Species-level remains active, with recent work describing 14 new species from China and defining the R. flava species group for Oriental species with yellowish . The genus has a fossil record extending to the Upper Eocene.

Rhagonycha scitula by (c) Mark Richman, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Mark Richman. Used under a CC-BY license.Rhagonycha scitula by (c) Mark Richman, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Mark Richman. Used under a CC-BY license.Rhagonycha nigrohumeralis by (c) Katja Schulz, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Rhagonycha: /ræˈɡɒnɪkə/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

within Rhagonycha are distinguished primarily by coloration of and body, male genitalia ( shape), and female reproductive structures. The R. flava species group comprises Oriental species with yellowish elytra. Subgenus Ussurycha is (R. kazantsevi) and separated from Rhagonycha s.s. based on morphological characters.

Images

Distribution

Europe (including UK, Czech Republic, Germany, Ireland, northern Spain, Russia east to Tatarstan, Turkey); North America (including Vermont, USA); Asia (Japan, China including Sichuan, Yunnan, Xizang/Tibet, Hubei, Guizhou); fossil record from Upper Eocene to recent.

Seasonality

of R. lutea active early June to mid-July; .

Life Cycle

. Larval poorly understood for ; Cantharidae larvae generally predatory and found in leaf litter, often present during winter.

Sources and further reading