One of the first described species has a color pattern reminiscent of the red coats of early British soldiers, hence the common name.

Soldier beetles often feed on nectar and pollen as well as predating other small insects.

The larvae are caterpillar like, dark colored, active and covered in fine hairs, earning them the name velvet worms.

Other described genera include 6 from the early Late Cretaceous (early Cenomanian) aged Burmese amber, with 5 belonging to Cantharinae and one to Malthininae, and Katyacantharis, from the Cenomanian aged Agdzhakend amber of Azerbaijan, suggested to belong to Cantharinae.

[4][5] Five subfamilies are normally accepted: Large males of the soldier beetle exercise choice for larger females.