Cardinal beetle confusion

[pammosley]

Hi folks, I had both these beetles labeled as Cardinal. They are clearly different though
I think this one is a Cardinal


But whats this one then?


Thanks for looking

[Jenny W]

I think your second is a net-winged beetle, Lycidae. There are four species in the UK (I think), all pretty similar apart from one that has yellow elytra instead of red, so I guess an ID to species may not be possible from a photo.

Agree you first looks like a Cardinal beetle and the rarer one too, Pyrochroa coccinea.

Beetles aren't my speciality though, so wait to see what others say!

[Paul mabbott]

There are three cardinal beetles (Pyrochroa sp) in UK and, as Jenny mentions, the similar looking Lycidae.
The first picture is Pyrochroa coccinea - red forebody, black head.
The second picture looks much like Pyropterus nigroruber but, using an old key it could be one of the Platycis spp.. I'll check into this!

Could you give an idea of size?

[pammosley]

Thanks Jenny & Paul for looking. I`ve just asked my daughter who took the photo how big the 2nd one was. Unfortunately a ` fishermans tale` of inch/ inch & half!!!!! I would say going on the leaf @ 15 mm including antenna?
But maybe she`s right
I`ll have a google now I`ve a family name

Hi had a google, I think it does look like Pyroterus Nigroruber.

[Paul mabbott]

Mmmmm
The differentiating factor, it seems, is that in Pyropterus the second and third antennal segments (counting away from the head) are 'transverse' (i.e. broader than long) but in Platycis they are 'elongate'. On your picture the third segment seems to be long and the second one square! Ho hum .... otherwise it looks like P. nigroruber (formerly P. affinis).

[pammosley]

Thanks for looking again Paul, Nigroruber it is then