Cantharidae
Adults parallel sided, elongate, and soft-bodied (beetles have rather soft cuticle so that the body and elytra are much less rigid than in usual for beetles); 1-25 mm long. Elytra may not completely cover the abdomen although the wings may. Head protruding from flattened pronotum, generally visible from above. Labrum strongly reduced, usually membraneous. Antennae generally thread-like (filiform), rarely pectinate or flabellate, usually 11-segmented, with rare exceptions (not recorded from Borneo); eyes circular, always obvious. Tarsi 5-5-5, 4th segment lobed. Larvae tend to be dark brown or grey, slender and wormlike with a rippled appearance due to pronounced segmentation. most larvae are covered with dense bristles that make them look velvety.
Adults are abundant on flowers and foliage where they feed on nectar, pollen, or other insects. most species contain noxious chemicals which deter predators. Larvae found mainly in leaf litter, loose soil, rotten wood, or beneath objects. Larvae of most species are carnivorous fluid-feeding predators feeding on grasshopper eggs, aphids, caterpillars and other soft bodied insects, most of which are pests; a few species feed on plants. The adults are especially important predators of aphids. They supplement their diet with nectar and pollen and can be minor pollinators. they are active mostly during the day, some come to light though.