| Goldenrod soldier beetle | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Coleoptera |
| Suborder: | Polyphaga |
| Infraorder: | Elateriformia |
| Family: | Cantharidae |
| Genus: | Chauliognathus |
| Species: | C. pensylvanicus |
| Binomial name | |
| Chauliognathus pensylvanicus (DeGeer, 1774) | |
| Synonyms | |
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The goldenrod soldier beetle [1] or Pennsylvania leatherwing [2] (Chauliognathus pensylvanicus) is a species of soldier beetle (Cantharidae).
The specific epithet pensylvanicus is Latin for "of Pennsylvania". The spelling with one n was in common use at the time (de Geer says in the description that the specimen was sent to him from 'Pensylvanie'), so the species name based on it cannot be corrected under the rules governing scientific names. [1]
The species is native to North America, and is one of the most common species of soldier beetle in the Midwest. [3] It ranges from Eastern to Central Canada down through Florida and Northern Texas. Some populations can be seen as far west as Colorado. [4]
Soldier beetles are just around 5/8ths of an inch. [5] They have elongated, leathery elytra that cover almost the entirety of their abdomen. They are an orangish, brownish and have distinct black patches. They also have a dark spot on their pronotum that is elongated horizontally. This is essential for identifying the species when comparing it to Margined Leatherwing (Chauliognathus marginatus), which is elongated vertically. [1]
Adults of the species are univoltine and are active in late summer and early fall. They are most abundant during the month of August. [5] Adults are diurnal and congregate on flowers, especially goldenrods, which inspired their name. [6] C. pensylvanicus has been identified as an important pollinator of the prairie onion, milkweed, Queen Anne's lace, and many species of the Asteraceae family, including Goldenrods, Black-eyed Susans and Asters. [7] [6] While adults feed on nectar and pollen, they transfer pollen between flowers, aiding in the pollination process. Not only do they feed on flowers, but they also eat small insects such as aphids and caterpillars. [5]
According to both lab tests and field observations, the beetle strongly prefers yellow flowers. [6] Goldenrod soldier beetles have leptokurtic dispersal patterns, meaning they only move short distances. Dispersal patterns are also sex-dependent. Males have been found to cluster in areas of high flower density, whereas female dispersal patterns are dependent on male locality rather than plant locality. [8]
Adult C. pensylvanicus may be infected by the fungus Eryniopsis lampyridarum . After the fungus infects the host, it takes about two weeks for it to eventually kill its host. Before the host dies, the fungus orders the beetle to climb a plant and then attach itself to a flower by biting down with its mandibles into flower heads. [9] About 15–22 hours later, the fungus causes the dead beetles to raise their elytra and expand their metathoracic wings in order to maximize infection of other beetles. [10] With their wings raised, the dead beetles may still attract mates as live males have been observed mating with the deceased. The infected male can then transmit spores by mating with multiple other females. Additionally, the spores protruding from the deceased insect fall to the ground, overwinter in the soil, and infect beetles the following year. [10]
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