Cantharid beetle and fly for ID

[djeyewater]

Just a couple for ID today if anyone can help:

These are two different individuals, but I think they are both the same species. I saw quite a few of them about today. About 20mm.



This fly was also 20mm, maybe larger:


Cheers

Dave

[Jason Green]

Evening Dave,

I saw about three individuals of your beetle today - I have it down as Cantharis sp.

Your second is a Rhagionidae member, and perhaps Rhagio scolopacea - but I have little practical experience of these.

Take care,

Jason

[djeyewater]

Cheers mate!

Dave

[Paul mabbott]

Most probably Cantharis nigricans. The only similar-looking species is the smaller, less common C. lateralis which has 'yellow' reflexed underside of the elytra! In effect, you should see a pale rim along the edge of the elytron rather than the black which I see .... I think ....

[djeyewater]

Hi Paul

I have a photo of the first beetle where you can see the underside of the elytra:


I can't see any yellow, so I guess its Cantharis nigricans.

Thanks for the help!

Dave

[Paul mabbott]

Yes, you can see the reflexed margin easily here and it's black!
Good example of why it often pays to take multiple pictures from every angle - cheers, Paul

Originally Posted by djeyewater

Hi Paul

I have a photo of the first beetle where you can see the underside of the elytra:


I can't see any yellow, so I guess its Cantharis nigricans.

Thanks for the help!

Dave