Soldier beetle
（重定向自Cantharoidea）
![](/Images/godic/202501/03/Chauliognathus_lugubris2814.jpg")
![Soldier beetle filmed in Hesse, Germany](/Images/godic/202501/03/-Malthodes_-_2013-07-12.webm2814.jpg")
The soldier beetles (Cantharidae) are relatively soft-bodied, straight-sided beetles. They are cosmopolitan in distribution. One of the first described species has a color pattern reminiscent of the red coats of early British soldiers, hence the common name. They are also known commonly as leatherwings because of their soft elytra.