Pennsylavania Leatherwing – Chauliognathus pennsylvanicus

Pennsylvania Leatherwing

 

Latin Name: Chauliognathus pensylvanicus

Common Name: Goldenrod soldier beetle, Pennsylvania leather wing

Appearance: Golden soldier wings are called so due to their resemblance with the army uniform of early Britain and due to their abundance interaction with goldenrod flowers. These insects are ¾ inches long and have red to orange-colored bodies with a black spot on the thorax. The forewings don’t fully cover the abdomen, and the abdomen can see having red and black lines.

Host Plants or Food: Aphids, caterpillars, eggs and adults of grasshoppers, and nectar of flowers.

Territory: North America, Midwest US, Northeast US.

Mode of Damage: Beneficial Garden Insect

Habits and Life History:

• These beetles interact with goldenrod flowers more often but are also seen on other flowers like Queen Anne’s lace, Yellow composites, Rattlesnake master, Milkweed, and other late summer flowers.
• Adults are mostly active from July to September being abundant in August. They live mostly in fields, gardens, meadows, and where there is prey.
• They feed on insects and also nectar of the flowers but don’t damage them, thus acting as pollinating agents.
• Eggs are laid in leaf litter and in loose soil, where they hatch into larvae.
• Larvae are long and dark-colored, having bristles on their body that give them a velvety look.
• Like other soldier beetles, it also resembles fireflies but does not have light-producing organs.