September 14th, 2012. We
took off up to Stephens County and explored two separate areas: the Lake
Russell Wildlife Management Area and Currahee Mountain. After we left the
Lake Russell WMA, we drove north to Currahee Mountain.
From Currahee Mountain, we drove to
Clayton. Along the road, we were treated to a wonderful display of Smallfruit
Beggarticks (Bidens mitis). It was late afternoon but we had to stop and take
some photographs. I was busy taking photographs when I realized that there were
a lot of small beetles on the flowers. They blended fairly well with their
surroundings, especially if they were on the flower centers.
Goldenrod
Soldier Beetle (Chauliognathus pensylvanicus) on Smallfruit Beggarticks (Bidens
mitis)
A closer view
Then
I noticed that there were a number of pairs mating. They’d move away if I
disturbed them but, otherwise, the female seemed only interested in feeding on
the pollen.
Although
only the female seemed to be feeding, the male must have gotten some pollen
somewhere along the line. It’s visible on his mouth parts in the following
photos.
The
Goldenrod Soldier Beetle (Chauliognathus pensylvanicus) is native to and widely distributed in
North America. These beetles are parasitized by a fungus, Eryniopsis lampyridum, that will kill them. All of the beetles on
these bushes appeared to be healthy
Note: The specific name ‘pensylvanica’ is not
mis-spelled. Apparently this was a common spelling of Pennsylvania at the time
this beetle was described
Click on an image to view a larger image
Identification
resources:
Ninnescoh
Life: Goldenrod Soldier Beetle (Chauliognathus pennsylvanicus)
Jonathan Neal, Living With
Insects Blog: Goldenrod Soldier Beetle
Arthur V. Evans, What’s Bugging
You: Beetles of Eastern North America: Goldenrod Soldier Beetle
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