The soldier beetles (Cantharidae) are relatively soft-bodied, straight-sided beetles. They are cosmopolitan in distribution. One of the first described species has a color pattern reminiscent of the red coats of early British soldiers, hence the common name. They are also known commonly as leatherwings because of their soft elytra.
The common red soldier beetle, also misleadingly known as the bloodsucker beetle, and popularly known in England as the Hogweed Bonking Beetle is a species of soldier beetle (Cantharidae).
The goldenrod soldier beetle or Pennsylvania leatherwing is a species of soldier beetle (Cantharidae).
Chauliognathus is a genus of soldier beetles in the family Cantharidae. Adults have almost rectangular bodies. Some are red and black, similar to the military uniforms that were common before the usage of camouflage, hence the name of soldier beetles. Others are orange and black. The elytra or first pair of wings are softer than the elytra of most beetles, that is why their other common name is leatherwings. The adults are frequently found on flowers, such as sunflowers, goldenrod, coneflowers, where they mate and feed on pollen and nectar. The larvae are more common in the ground or among debris, where they feed on eggs or larvae of other insects. The adults are most frequently found in summer and early fall. They are native to America and Australia.
Cantharini is a tribe of soldier beetles in the family Cantharidae. There are at least 90 described species in Cantharini.
Chauliognathinae is a subfamily of soldier beetles in the family Cantharidae. There are at least 4 genera and at least 20 described species in Chauliognathinae.
Podabrus is a genus of soldier beetles in the family Cantharidae. There are at least 110 described species in Podabrus, recorded from Europe, North America and Asia.
Chauliognathus omissus is a species of soldier beetle in the family Cantharidae. It is found in North America.
Chauliognathus fasciatus is a species of soldier beetle in the family Cantharidae. It is found in North America.
Chauliognathus scutellaris, the Texas soldier beetle, is a species of soldier beetle in the family Cantharidae. It is found in Central America and North America.
Malthinus is a genus of soldier beetles in the family Cantharidae; species have been recorded from Europe, N. America and Japan. There are more than 140 described species in Malthinus.
Chauliognathus lecontei is a species of soldier beetle in the family Cantharidae. It is found in North America.
Chauliognathus profundus is a species of soldier beetle in the family Cantharidae. It is found in Central America and North America.
Chauliognathus obscurus is a species of soldier beetle in the family Cantharidae. It is found in North America.
Chauliognathus misellus is a species of soldier beetle in the family Cantharidae. It is found in North America.
Chauliognathus marginatus, known generally as the margined leatherwing or margined soldier beetle, is a species of soldier beetle in the family Cantharidae. It is found in Central America and North America.
Chauliognathus limbicollis is a species of soldier beetle in the family Cantharidae. It is found in North America.
Chauliognathus deceptus is a species of soldier beetle in the family Cantharidae. It is found in North America.
Chauliognathus opacus is a species of soldier beetle in the family Cantharidae. It is found in North America.
Chauliognathus discus, the soldier beetle, is a species of soldier beetle in the family Cantharidae. It is found in North America.
