Beautiful Tortoiseshell butterfly & does anyone know what these orange insects are?

Just been out in the garden and spotted this lovely pristine butterfly.


Also thought I would include a photo of my Angelica 'Ebony' - does anyone know what these orange insects are - if you look carefully you will see that it looks as if there should soon be a lot more ... the things you see in the garden when you are out for a nice quiet Sunday afternoon browse!

 

Beautiful shots Comber gardener. The butterfly with his long mane......have never seen that before.

 

Beautiful picture Comber-g..
I think they may be Cardinal Beetles...good guys!

 

Fab picture Comber gardener
They,as pal already said,are cardinal beetles.Something which I used to steer clear of as a child,for some reason we thought they sucked blood! Aaagh the innocence of childhood

 

I don't know their name, but if they are what I think they are: in the night they have a proper small light at the back and if they are many they are an amazing display to see against the dark.

 

Thanks for the info. everyone. I followed up your suggestions with Google & came across this which I think fits in. I thought the angelica must have had an insect love potion, but know I know they are just friendly all the time.

Never heard of bloodsuckers - as you say the innocence of youth.



Rhagonycha fulva ââ?¬â?? black-tipped soldier beetle (family Cantharidae)

This is probably the commonest British soldier beetle and the adults are found later than other species, in July and early August. It is usually seen on flowers where it feeds on nectar and pollen, but also robs and eats other flower-visiting insects: it can also very often be seen mating. Although it is completely harmless to humans, children's folklore refers to this and other soldier beetles as ââ?¬Ë?bloodsuckers'.