Cardinal Beetles Pyrochroidae

Cardinal Beetles are a small family of bright scarlet beetles. The larvae are rather flattened and live under bark, predating other insects.

 Larva of a cardinal beetle, either Pyrochroa coccinea or P. serraticornis. Found under firewood pile in Preuilly sur Claise late March 2018. 

 Larva of a cardinal beetle. The cercis (spines at 'tail' end) are straight, which indicates either Pyrochroa coccinea or P. serraticornis. Found under firewood pile in Preuilly sur Claise late March 2018. 

Thanks to Stewart Bevan of the FB group Insects and Other Arthropods of Britain and Europe.