Soldier Beetles - Coleoptera family: Cantharidae
Cantharis sp. / Chauliognathus sp. / Chauliognathus pennsylvanicus / Trypherus latipennes / Podabrus rugosulus
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.
 

Soldier Beetle Trypherus latipennes
Soldier Beetle Trypherus latipennes

Chauliognathus sp.
 


 


 

Cantharis sp.

 
Atalantycha bilineata
Two-lined Leather-wing

Chauliognathus pennsylvanicus		  

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.


One of the most common soldier beetles in the American midwest, Podabrus rugosulus

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 mast, leaf litter and loose bark.

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.

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.

This is the Colorado Soldier Beetle, Chauliognathus basalis. 
Photographed in the wild at Flat Tops Wilderness,
White River Nat'l Forest, Eagle County, Colorado, USA

I love to see insects covered with pollen. Too bad beetles don't have the numbers to help much with our tragic honeybee decline. Maybe someone can genetically engineer an eusocial soldier beetle with royalty and worker classes?