Goldenrod Soldier Beetle or Pennsylvania Leatherwing (Chauliognathus pensylvanicus)

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:

Bug Guide: Goldenrod Soldier Beetle (Chauliognathus pensylvanicus)

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

Related posts:

- Smallfruit Beggarticks (Bidens mitis)