Other Common Names
Soldier Beetle, Leatherwing Beetle (names apply to the whole family, Cantharidae)
Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Chauliognathus Hentz, 1830
Explanation of Names
From Greek,
chauliod, "with projecting teeth" (from
chaulio "outstanding"), plus
gnathus, jaw
(1). This genus has prominent, projecting jaws.
Numbers
www.nearctica.com lists 19 North American species in this genus.
Identification
The common North American members of this genus are mostly yellow and active on flowers during the day. The most commonly encountered genus of soldier beetles in eastern North America.
Range
Genus widespread in North America. C. pennsylvanicus and C. marginatus are widespread in east. C. basalis occurs in the western Great Plains: Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado.
Members of genus (or related genera in tribe Chauliognathini) also occur in South America, Australia, New Guinea (Internet searches).
Habitat
Meadows, etc. Common on flowers in summer, fall.
Season
Summer into fall in temperate areas.
Food
Adults take pollen and nectar. Adults also perhaps predatory. Larvae prey on other insect larvae, especially coleoptera, lepidoptera. Sometimes members of this genus are suggested for biological control of pest species.
Print References
Arnett, American Insects
(2)
Borror, entries for
chauliod,
gnathus (1)
Dillon, Manual of Common Beetles of Eastern North America, pp. 256-257, plate 27
(3)
Fender, KM (1964). The Chauliognathi of America North of Mexico (
Part II-PDF)
Papp, Intro. to North American Beetles
(4)
Salsbury, p. 196--photo C. basalis
(5)Internet References
North Carolina State University entomology collection--lists C. pensylvanicus and C. marginatus for that state.
Harvard's MCZ has images of several type specimens--search on "Chauliognathus", and click on links for each species
Transactions of the American Philosophical Society, New Series, v.3, p.458 (n.14) Hentz's article on beetle maxillae which refers to members of this genus on several pages (the original description of the genus is on p.460)
