Margined Leatherwing Beetle

This was 1 of the Margined Leatherwing Beetles on yesterday's Hemp Dogbane. They are 1 of our more commonly seen soldier beetles, a family of beetles considered to be somewhat related to fireflies:

  • Both are longish beetles with relatively soft elytra (the mostly protective outer wings) compared to the typical beetle.
  • Both grow from larvae that prey on invertebrates like snails, slugs, worms, and some insects.
  • But AFAIK none of the soldier beetles exhibit any bio-luminescent traits.

The Margined Leatherwing Beetle - like its Goldenrod Soldier Beetle cousins [1] - is generally considered to be a beneficial pollinator as adults [2].

June 3, 2023 at John Clyde Native Grassland Preserve
Photo 300859635, (c) jpviolette, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)

[1] Supporting their relatedness, the Goldenrod Soldier Beetle is sometimes called a Goldenrod Leatherwing Beetle while the Margined Leatherwing Beetle is sometimes called a Margined Soldier Beetle.

[2] Their predatory days may not be entirely behind them though; some light snacking on aphids is possible.

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