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

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Polished Lady Beetle (Cycloneda munda)

OTHER NAMES: Immaculate Lady Beetle
Latin Etymology: Cycloneda (?) munda (?)

 

Adult Polished Lady Beetle (Cycloneda munda) at Campton Hills, Illinois, USA - August 2024

Featured Subspecies: 
Weight: ?  /  Length: 3.7-5.7mm  /  Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Not Yet Evaluated 

A ladybird species almost that is nearly endemic to the Eastern United States with its range stopping fairly abruptly at the Great Planes. Like many ladybirds they are aphid specialists.
 
Related Species: 
Order: Coleoptera 
Family: Coccinellidae
Genus: Cycloneda
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 
 
- Sighting Locations -

UNITED STATES 
Resident in the Eastern USA
 - CALIFORNIA 2022 TRIP: Seen in llinois

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

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Milkweed Tussock Moth (Euchaetes egle)

OTHER NAMES: Milkweed Tiger Moth
Latin Etymology: Euchaetes ("well bristled") egle (?)

Juvenile Milkweed Tussock Moth (Euchaetes egle) at St Charles, Illinois, USA - August 2024

Featured Subspecies: ?
Weight: g/kg  /  Length: 3.2cm  /  Wingspan: 35-43mm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Not Yet Evaluated 

A fairly subdued moth with a rather flamboyant caterpillar form - as caterpillars, they feed on toxic chemicals such as milkweeds to make the adult forms toxic to predators such as bats. Milkweeds produce chemicals to deter predators but these moths have learned to first skeletonise the leaves then, when large enough, sever the vessels that bring the noxious substance.
 
Related Species: 
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Erebidae
Genus: Euchaetes
SUBSPECIES: ?
 
- Sighting Locations -

UNITED STATES -  Widely distributed species in the lower 48
 - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: Seen in Campton, Illinois  

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

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