Pennsylvania Leather-Wing
Chauliognathus pennsylvanicus

Leather-wings belong to the soldier beetle family (Cantharidae) whose members are similar to fireflies except that their heads protrude because the pronotom does not extend forwards. They do not produce light.

The Pennsylvania leather-wing is up to half an inch long with antennae at least half as long as the body. The adult feeds on nectar, pollen and small insects, favoring plants with large clusters of small flowers, such as milkweed and goldenrod (it is sometimes called the Goldenrod Soldier Beetle). The beetles in the photograph are feeding on Queen Anne's Lace flowers.

Eggs are laid in the soil and larvae feed on small caterpillars and beetles, and also on grasshopper eggs. They pupate in the soil in spring, and the adults emerge when it becomes warmer.

The Pennsylvania Leather-wing is only found east of the Rockies. Another species, the Downy Leather-wing, is found throughout North America, is carnivorous and has gray body and wings and an orange head.

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