Soldier Beetle

by Matthew Applebaum

Order: Coleoptera (beetles)

Family: Cantharidae

How to identify:

As with most insects, soldier beetles have six legs and four wings. Most species of beetles have a rigid exoskeleton with long, hardened wings (known as elytra) that cover the abdomen. However, soldier beetles have soft bodies and leathery wings. Behind their head is a hard covering (known as the pronotum) that is brown or black with red, orange or yellow markings. Adults are 1-1.5 inches in length (Borrow and White, 2019, p 162).   

Advanced ID: Soldier beetles have long, parallel-sided cylindrical bodies (1.5 mm to 28 mm in length) with a soft exoskeleton and leathery wings. Wings and pronotum are usually brown or black with red, orange or yellow markings; pronotum does not conceal the head (Borrow and White, 2019, p. 162). 

Ecology

Metamorphosis Type: Complete metamorphosis: egg, larva, pupa, adult. Larvae often look very different from adults (e.g., caterpillar and butterfly, maggot and fly)

Geographic range: Soldier beetles are cosmopolitan, found on all continents except Antarctica.

Habitat: Adult soldier beetles are relatively short-lived; they are active in spring and summer in areas with flowers and foliage, such as gardens, meadows, and some forests. In the fall, they lay eggs under fallen leaves, debris, rocks, logs and other sheltered areas. The larvae hatch and overwinter underground (Hahn, 2023). 

Trophic Level: Omnivore: consumes plants and animals

Food: The larvae and adults have mandibulate mouthparts, as they have highly sclerotized mandibles which they use to chew their food. The larvae are carnivorous and consume snails, grasshopper eggs, moths, root maggots and other insect larvae. Adult soldier beetles consume pollen and nectar as well as caterpillars, soft-bodied insects, and insect eggs (Hahn, 2023).   

Why should we care?

Human uses: Soldier beetles are beneficial to humans because they remove harmful pests like aphids, mites and caterpillars from gardens and agricultural fields (Why is pollination important, n.d.).

Pollinators: Since these beetles are pollinators, they play an important role in increasing plant production. During photosynthesis, plants remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, which is important for mediating climate change. Plants also reduce erosion, help retain soil moisture, and provide food to many organisms (Why is pollination important, n.d.). 

Conservation Status: As a family, Cantharidae are common, with about 5000 species worldwide. Unfortunately, many individual species have not been studied well enough to determine if they are endangered. We do know that many pollinator species are under threat from habitat loss, pesticides, and climate change (Threats to pollinators: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, n.d.).

How we can help: There is much we can do to help pollinators.

1. Plant a pollinator garden using native plants. Even a small garden can make a big difference- including in urban areas.  Use this website and this Urban Habitat Assessment tool to get started.  Arrange your plants in clusters (rather than individual plants separated throughout the garden). For soldier beetles, include native plants such as goldenrod (Solidago) and woodland sunflower (Helianthus divaricatus) (NJ Division of Fish, Game, and Wildlife, n.d.). Incorporate perennials so beetles can pupate in undisturbed soil. Allow fallen leaves and untouched soil to remain in the garden for overwintering shelter (Fallon, 2020).
2. Avoid pesticides in your own garden (Xerces Society, n.d.), and purchase more organic foods to support organic farmers. 
3. Sign the Pollinator Protection Pledge and / or add your garden to the Homegrown National Park, and put up a sign to let others know.  We can make a difference.

Did you know?

• The red and black pattern on the soldier beetle resembles military uniforms in Britain, which is where the common name originated (Soldier beetles (cantharids), n.d.).
• Soldier beetles are nicknamed leatherwings due to their wings being leathery (Soldier beetle) (n.d.).

Images Cited

Photo 1: Mark Nenadov. 2016. Licensed under Creative Commons License  | Link

Photo 2: Alan Shearman. 2020. Licensed under Creative Commons License | Link

Photo 3: Katja Schulz. 2017. Licensed under Creative Commons License | Link

Photo 4: Katja Schulz. 2017. Licensed under Creative Commons License | Link            

Photo 5: Katja Schulz. 2016. Licensed under Creative Commons License | Link             

Photo 6:  Tom Grant. 2015. Licensed under Creative Commons License | Link

Photo 7: Gilles San Martin. 2019. Licensed under Creative Commons License | Link

Photo 8: Sankax. 2009. Licensed under Creative Commons License | Link

Photo 9: Robert Burlock. 2007. Licensed under Creative Commons License| Link

Photo 10: Bautifulcataya. 2009. Licensed under Creative Commons License | Link

Photo 11:  Nikk. 2020. Linked under Creative Commons License | Link

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