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Soldier Beetles - Coleoptera family: Cantharidae
Cantharis sp. / Chauliognathus sp. / Chauliognathus
pennsylvanicus / Trypherus latipennes
There are 16 genera and 455 species of Cantharidae in North America. Adults
are abundant on flowers and foliage where they feed on nectar, pollen, or other insects. Larvae of most species are carnivorous, a few
species feed on plants.
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Chauliognathus sp.
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Cantharis sp.
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Chauliognathus pennsylvanicus |
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Members of the approximately 3,500 species of the widely distributed insect
family Cantharidae are commonly known as soldier beetles or leatherwings.
It is thought the brightly-colored elytra (hardened outer wings that cover the
soft flying wings), often striped or outlined in black, resemble soldiers'
uniforms; the leathery appearance accounts for the other less common moniker.
These beetles are one of the more abundant large insects in the American
Midwest in late summer. They can be seen feeding on nectar and pollen on just
about any flowering plant, but goldenrod (Solidago), Queen Anne's Lace (Daucus
carota), Water Hemlock, and Ox-eye daisies appear to be among the beetle's
favorites. |
Soldier Beetle Trypherus
latipennes
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Soldier beetles, also known as leatherwings, get their name
from the soft, cloth like wing covers, which when brightly
colored are reminiscent of uniforms. These beetles are
elongate, oft-bodied and about 1/2" long. Colors of soldier
beetles vary from yellow to red with brown or black wings or
trim. A common and easily-spotted species is the
Pennsylvania leatherwing, which is yellow with one large
black spot on each wing. Soldier beetles resemble lightning
bugs but do not have light-producing organs. Another group
of beetles that may be confused with soldier beetles are the
blister beetles, which are pests, but blister beetles have a
square-shaped head and a very visible "neck."
Adult females lay their eggs in clusters in the soil. The
larvae are velvety, covered with dense bristles, and have
antenna-like projections on their head. Most larvae are
carnivorous, feeding on insects in the soil. Larvae
overwinter in damp soil and debris or loose bark. |
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This soldier beetle's elytra (hardened wing-covers) are held outwards to
allow the soft flying wings to function. |
Soldier beetles are important pollinators of flowering plants.
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Adult soldier beetles are predators,
eating caterpillars, eggs, aphids, and other soft-bodied
insects. They will alternatively eat nectar and pollen if no
insects are around. They do not damage plant foliage. Adults
are often found on flowers such as goldenrod, where they lie
in wait for prey, feed on pollen and mate. Since soldier
beetles are beneficial, it is inadvisable to kill them. They
may be a nuisance in the fall, if large numbers of larvae
enter a house in search of a place to overwinter.
Weather-stripping and caulking will pest-proof a home. A
vacuum cleaner will safely remove soldier beetles that are
found inside.
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