COLEOPTERA: Cantharidae

The common name for this family is soldier beetle. There are over 5,000 species known worldwide; over 450 species are known from North America. Adults are often found on vegetation during the summer months. Larvae are found in leaf litter and rotting wood.

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Chauliognathus pensylvanicus (DeGeer, 1774).

This is one of the more commonly encountered soldier beetles in Illinois. The common name is goldenrod soldier beetle. Adults are often found on vegetation and are likely pollinators (as they often feed on pollen). Larvae are predators. Larvae pass the winter months underground. There may be up to 10 instars (larval growth stages). This specimen was collected by Mark DuBois in Marshall Co., Illinois.

Yes, there is only one “n” at the start of this species name. The original spelling of the species was Latinized with a single “n” at the start.

Podabrus brimleyi Green, 1947.

There is no common name for this beetle. Adults are often found on vegetation throughout eastern North America and are likely pollinators (as they often observed feeding on pollen). This specimen was collected by Mark DuBois in Marshall Co., Illinois.