Goldenrod Soldier Beetle (Chauliognathus pensylvanicus)

OTHER NAMES: Pennsylvania Leatherwing
Latin Etymology: Chauliognathus ("having a projecting jaw") pensylvanicus ("of Pennsylvania")

 

Adult Goldenrod Soldier Beetle (Chauliognathus pensylvanicus) at Campton Hills, Illinois, USA - August 2024

Featured Subspecies: ?

Weight: ?  /  Length: 1.6cm  /  Wingspan: ?

NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Not Yet Evaluated 

A common beetle species of the Eastern United States, they are active as adults in Summer and Autumn where they can be found on flowers, notably the goldenrod of their name, although they are generlly particularly attracted to yellow flowers. They are important pollinators of various wildflowers including mildweed, prairie onion and asters.
 
Related Species: 
Order: Coleoptera
Family: Cantharidae
Genus: Chauliognathus
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 
 
- Sighting Locations -

UNITED STATES -  Common in the Eastern USA
 - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: Seen several times in Campton, Illinois  

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto