A strikingly coloured beetle, which is often mistaken for a ladybird. It is generally red in colour but it has four black spots, two on each elytron and a dark black mark in the centre of the pronotum. There is nothing else quite like it so identification is fairly straightforward.

A fungus eater living under the bark of dead or dying trees especially beech and birch.

Mainly from April to September.

Associated with fungi.

It has been found in most areas of Britain but most records come from the southern half of the country.

Uncommon in Leicestershire and Rutland.