# Colorado Soldier Beetle (*Chauliognathus basalis*) The Colorado Soldier Beetle is a bright orange insect that loves to munch on flowers and plants. They are often seen in gardens and fields, making them fun to spot! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 1 - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![Colorado Soldier Beetle](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Chauliognathus_basalis_P1320841a.jpg&width=800) Photo: xpda, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Chauliognathus_basalis_P1320841a.jpg) ## Appearance The Colorado Soldier Beetle has a distinctive bright orange-yellow body contrasted with black markings. It features a prominent black spot on its pronotum, right behind the head, and its wing covers often have black tips. This vibrant coloration makes it visually distinct from many other garden beetles. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Coleoptera - **Family:** Cantharidae - **Genus:** Chauliognathus ## Interesting facts - Adult soldier beetles love to gather in large groups on flowers, looking for mates! - Their bright colors warn hungry birds that they taste bad and should be avoided! - Their larvae live in soil, eating pests and decaying matter before becoming adults! - They are sometimes called 'Leatherwings' because their wing covers are soft and flexible! ## Special abilities - **Stinky Shield:** The Colorado Soldier Beetle can release foul-tasting chemicals from its body, helping them deter hungry predators. - **Sweet Sips:** The Colorado Soldier Beetle can drink nectar from flowers using its mouthparts, which helps them transfer pollen between plants. - **Garden Guardian:** The Colorado Soldier Beetle can hunt and eat small soft-bodied insects, helping control pest populations in gardens. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 15-24 mm - **Size:** 8-12 mm - **Lifespan:** 30-60 days - **Flight Speed:** 8 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Adults sip nectar and hunt small insects, while larvae eat soil pests. - **Age differences:** Larvae are primarily predatory on soil-dwelling pests and detritivores, adults are omnivorous. - **Primary Foods:** Nectar, Pollen, Aphids, Small caterpillars, Insect eggs - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** Black Bean Aphid (*Aphis fabae*) — Adults and larvae prey on this soft-bodied garden pest. - **Pollinates:** [Canada Goldenrod](https://www.snappit.app/explore/canada-goldenrod) (*Solidago canadensis*) — Feeds on nectar, helping this wildflower spread its seeds. - **Eaten by:** [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) — May be eaten by birds, despite its warning coloration. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low These beetles are safe to observe, but it's best to watch them without touching. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Colorado Soldier Beetle? Look for hard wing covers meeting in a line down the back, then compare the antennae, body shape, legs and markings. Metallic colors shift a lot with lighting. Beetle Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Colorado Soldier Beetle's wingspan? 15-24 mm ### How big is Colorado Soldier Beetle? 8-12 mm ### How long does Colorado Soldier Beetle live? 30-60 days ### How fast can Colorado Soldier Beetle fly? 8 km/h ### What does Colorado Soldier Beetle eat? Adults sip nectar and hunt small insects, while larvae eat soil pests. ### Where is Colorado Soldier Beetle usually found? Grasslands ### How does Colorado Soldier Beetle hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Box Butte County Courthouse](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/box-butte-county-courthouse) — Nebraska, US · Historic Site - [Cripple Creek Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cripple-creek-historic-district) — Colorado, US · Historic District ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Colorado Soldier Beetle: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/colorado-soldier-beetle)