Best time to see: Mar to Oct
Key facts
The largest of a family of beetles that feed on plants; produces a red fluid from its mouth when threatened
Found in rough grassland including on roadside verges, eating bedstraws such as goose-grass; flightless; up to 11mm long
Other leaf beetles, such as the asparagus beetle (2nd pic) are garden or agricultural pests
© Tony Gunton
© Tony Gunton