Image Copyright 2001, David L. Green Unauthorized use prohibited
Mating Soldier Beetles on Goldenrod: September 27, 2001 Hemingway, SC USA
Soldier Beetles
Tentative ID: Chauliognatus marginatus, Family: Cantharidae
Image Copyright 2001, David L. Green Unauthorized use prohibited
Mating Soldier Beetles on Goldenrod: September 27, 2001 Hemingway,
SC USA
Somewhat of a pollinator, though they are not fuzzy like bees, some pollen adheres. The female continues to feed while mating. These are valuable predators of aphids, pest caterpillars and grasshoppers.