Malthinus balteatus is a species of soldier beetle native to Europe.Fauna EuropaeaNorman H. Joy, 1932 A Practical Handbook of British Beetles
This species is a saproxylic beetle, meaning that a portion of its lifespan feeds on dead, decomposing wood and fungi.Bacal, S., & Buşmachiu, G. (2023). Saproxylic beetles (Insecta: Coleoptera) from forest ecosystems of the Republic of Moldova. North-Western Journal of Zoology, 6-10. Since they are populated in dense forests, they aid in nutrient recycling and are used as an indicator species. However, due to decreased management of European forests, their diversity is at risk.Bacal, S., & Buşmachiu, G. (2023). Saproxylic beetles (Insecta: Coleoptera) from forest ecosystems of the Republic of Moldova. North-Western Journal of Zoology, 6-10.
References