# Soldier Beetle (*Eryniopsis lampyridarum (Thaxt.)*)

Soldier Beetles are bright and bold insects that look like tiny soldiers! They are great for gardens because they eat other pests.

- **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 2/5 · Low
- **Snaps:** 1
- **Habitat:** Fields and meadows
- **Also known as:** Common Soldier Beetle, Golden Soldier Beetle

![Soldier Beetle](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426262/objects/5564.jpg)

## Appearance

The Soldier Beetle is an elongated, soft-bodied insect, often brightly colored with red, orange, or yellow markings contrasting with black. Its distinctive, flexible wings and long antennae help differentiate it from many harder-shelled beetles found in gardens.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Arthropoda
- **Class:** Insecta
- **Order:** Entomophthorales
- **Family:** Entomophthoraceae
- **Genus:** Eryniopsis

## Interesting facts

- A special fungus can infect a soldier beetle's brain, making it climb high to spread more spores!
- Many species of soldier beetles are super helpful in gardens because they love to munch on aphids!
- Their bright colors reminded people of old military uniforms, which is how they got their name!
- Young soldier beetles, called larvae, are fierce hunters that live underground eating slugs!

## Special abilities

- **Stinky Shield:** Soldier Beetle can ooze bad-tasting chemicals from its joints, helping them deter hungry birds and other predators.
- **Pollen Power-Up:** Soldier Beetle has fine hairs and visits flowers, helping them transfer pollen and feed on nectar for energy.
- **Underground Hunter:** Young Soldier Beetles are expert hunters underground, using strong jaws to catch slugs and other insect larvae.

## Measurements & details

- **Wingspan:** 20-40 mm
- **Size:** 10-20 mm
- **Lifespan:** 30-90 days
- **Leg Count:** 6

## Diet & Feeding

Adult soldier beetles sip nectar and pollen, but also hunt tiny insects like aphids!

- **Age differences:** Larvae are carnivores, eating slugs, snails, and other insect larvae underground.
- **Primary Foods:** Nectar, Pollen, Aphids, Small caterpillars, Insect eggs
- **Foraging Method:** Foraging

## Ecological connections

- **Parasitizes:** Soldier Beetle Zombie Fungus (*Eryniopsis lampyridarum*) — Infects and controls beetle behavior for spore dispersal.
- **Eaten by:** [American Robin](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-robin) (*Turdus migratorius*) — Robins often feast on beetles found in gardens and fields.
- **Hunts:** Green Peach Aphid (*Myzus persicae*) — Adults and larvae both prey on these soft-bodied garden pests.
- **Depends on:** [Canada Goldenrod](https://www.snappit.app/explore/canada-goldenrod) (*Solidago canadensis*) — Adult beetles feed on its nectar and pollen for energy.

## Traits

- [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats.
- [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
- [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates.
- [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
- [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)
- [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects-and-bugs)

## Safety

**Danger:** 2/5 · Low

Do not touch or pick up. Some insects sting or bite. Ask an adult for help.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Soldier Beetle?

Look for six legs, antennae, three body sections and the shape of the wings. Beetles have hardened front wings; flies have just one working pair. Tiny insects may need a close view before their group is clear. Insect Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### What is Soldier Beetle's wingspan?

20-40 mm

### How big is Soldier Beetle?

10-20 mm

### How long does Soldier Beetle live?

30-90 days

### What does Soldier Beetle eat?

Adult soldier beetles sip nectar and pollen, but also hunt tiny insects like aphids!

### Where is Soldier Beetle usually found?

Fields and meadows

### How does Soldier Beetle hunt?

Foraging

### How many legs does Soldier Beetle have?

6

## Where to spot

- [Market Square](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/market-square) — Tennessee, 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: [Soldier Beetle: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/soldier-beetle)