Soldier Beetle
COMMON NAME: Soldier Beetle
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Order Coleoptera, many other species such as Chaubiognathus pennsylvanicus
FAMILY: Cantheridae
SIZE: 1/2″ to 3/4″
IDENTIFICATION: Adults are long, narrow, soft-bodied beetles, often orange or red with black or brown wings. Both larvae and adults are easily identified by their velvety covering. Wings are soft and parchment-like and don’t always reach the tip of the abdomen.
HABITAT: Soldier beetles like to do their hunting in yarrow, daisies, and other flowering plants.
FEEDING HABITS: Aphids and other small insects pests.
ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE: Beneficial.
NATURAL CONTROL: None needed.
ORGANIC CONTROL: None needed.
INSIGHT: Colorful and highly beneficial insect that should be protected. Not seen that often but worth knowing about.