# Goldenrod Soldier Beetle (*Chauliognathus pensylvanicus*) The Goldenrod Soldier Beetle is a bright orange and black insect that loves to munch on flowers. They are often found in gardens and fields, making them fun to spot while exploring nature! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 11 - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![Goldenrod Soldier Beetle](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Goldenrod_Soldier_Beetle_-_Chauliognathus_pennsylvanicus%252C_Julie_Metz_Wetlands%252C_Woodbridge%252C_Virginia.jpg&width=800) Photo: Judy Gallagher, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Goldenrod_Soldier_Beetle_-_Chauliognathus_pennsylvanicus%252C_Julie_Metz_Wetlands%252C_Woodbridge%252C_Virginia.jpg) ## Appearance The Goldenrod Soldier Beetle has a soft, elongated body with a yellowish-orange head and pronotum, often featuring a black spot. Its flexible wing covers are typically yellowish-brown to reddish-brown, each with a distinctive dark spot near the tip, differing from many hard-shelled beetles. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Coleoptera - **Family:** Cantharidae - **Genus:** Chauliognathus ## Interesting facts - Adults love to gather on goldenrod flowers, making them super easy to spot! - Baby soldier beetles (larvae) live in the soil and eat tiny slugs and insect eggs. - They're called "soldier beetles" because their wing covers resemble uniforms, not armor! - Unlike many beetles, their wing covers are soft and flexible, not hard and rigid. ## Special abilities - **Aphid Hunter:** Goldenrod Soldier Beetle can prey on soft-bodied insects like aphids, helping plants by controlling pest populations. - **Flower Helper:** Goldenrod Soldier Beetle helps flowers reproduce by moving pollen between them as it feeds on nectar and pollen. - **Chemical Shield:** Goldenrod Soldier Beetle has a unique chemical defense that makes it taste bad to predators, helping it avoid being eaten. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 20-28 mm - **Size:** 10-14 mm - **Lifespan:** 7-21 days - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Adults sip nectar and munch pollen from flowers, while their babies hunt tiny garden pests! - **Age differences:** Larvae are carnivorous, feeding on insect eggs, small slugs, and other soft-bodied invertebrates in the soil. - **Primary Foods:** Nectar, Pollen, Aphids, Small slugs, Insect eggs - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** [Canada Goldenrod](https://www.snappit.app/explore/canada-goldenrod) (*Solidago canadensis*) — Gathers nectar and pollen from its bright yellow flowers. - **Eats:** [Oleander Aphid](https://www.snappit.app/explore/oleander-aphid) (*Aphis nerii*) — Larvae and adults prey on soft-bodied aphids, controlling pests. - **Eaten by:** [Goldenrod Crab Spider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/goldenrod-crab-spider) (*Misumena vatia*) — Can be ambushed by camouflaged spiders hiding on flowers. ## Traits - [Striped](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/striped): Marked with parallel bands or lines of color. - [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. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [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. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [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 don't touch them too much to keep them happy. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Goldenrod 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 Goldenrod Soldier Beetle's wingspan? 20-28 mm ### How big is Goldenrod Soldier Beetle? 10-14 mm ### How long does Goldenrod Soldier Beetle live? 7-21 days ### What does Goldenrod Soldier Beetle eat? Adults sip nectar and munch pollen from flowers, while their babies hunt tiny garden pests! ### Where is Goldenrod Soldier Beetle usually found? Grasslands ### How does Goldenrod Soldier Beetle hunt? Foraging ### How many legs does Goldenrod Soldier Beetle have? 6 ## Where to spot - [Brandon Road Lock and Dam](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/brandon-road-lock-and-dam) — Illinois, US · Historic Site - [Dubuque Arboretum and Botanical Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/dubuque-arboretum-and-botanical-gardens) — Iowa, US · Botanical Garden - [Green Bay Botanical Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/green-bay-botanical-garden) — Wisconsin, US · Botanical Garden - [Olbrich Botanical Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/olbrich-botanical-gardens) — Wisconsin, US · Botanical Garden - [Scoville Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/scoville-park) — Illinois, US · Park - [Academy Grove Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/academy-grove-historic-district) — Maryland, US · Historic District [View all places to see Goldenrod Soldier Beetle](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/goldenrod-soldier-beetle) ## 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: [Goldenrod Soldier Beetle: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/goldenrod-soldier-beetle)